We interrupt this program... When I was a child, watching cartoons on TV, occasionally a test pattern would appear on the screen. A deep booming voice would announce, "We interrupt this program for a message from the Emergency Broadcast System." We were assured that this was not an actual emergency. What would follow was the sound of an obnoxious bleeping sound that would wake the dead. Then normal programming would resume.
Sabbath as interruption The word we use for Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word "Shabbat," which literally means "an interruption."
I wonder what would happen if we allowed the Sabbath to "interrupt" our regularly scheduled programming for an announcement. What would it say to us?
What if... What if we interrupted a business meeting with a Sabbath moment? Would we not treat one another more respectfully following a moment of silence, remembering that all of the people in the room are first and foremost children of God, not "human resources."?
What if we interrupted a session of Congress with a Sabbath meditation? Would we not view our political differences in a different light? Might we not hope that there would be more focus on reconciliation?
What if we interrupted the Super Bowl or an act of war or a lover's quarrel or even a church service with a Sabbath prayer?
God is continuously trying to interrupt our regularly scheduled programming... to get a message of peace to us.
Reflection Questions Think of a time recently when your normal routine was interrupted by an unexpected event. How can you reframe that experience as an interruption from God to invite you to observe the Sabbath rest?
How can you practice Sabbath on a daily or weekly basis? What do you need to stop doing in order to make room to experience God's presence more fully?
How can you create sacred space in your home? What memorable objects could you display as a reminder of the sacred quality of life?
Book Recommendation When God Interrupts by Craig Barnes
Sabbath as interruption The word we use for Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word "Shabbat," which literally means "an interruption."
I wonder what would happen if we allowed the Sabbath to "interrupt" our regularly scheduled programming for an announcement. What would it say to us?
What if... What if we interrupted a business meeting with a Sabbath moment? Would we not treat one another more respectfully following a moment of silence, remembering that all of the people in the room are first and foremost children of God, not "human resources."?
What if we interrupted a session of Congress with a Sabbath meditation? Would we not view our political differences in a different light? Might we not hope that there would be more focus on reconciliation?
What if we interrupted the Super Bowl or an act of war or a lover's quarrel or even a church service with a Sabbath prayer?
God is continuously trying to interrupt our regularly scheduled programming... to get a message of peace to us.
Reflection Questions Think of a time recently when your normal routine was interrupted by an unexpected event. How can you reframe that experience as an interruption from God to invite you to observe the Sabbath rest?
How can you practice Sabbath on a daily or weekly basis? What do you need to stop doing in order to make room to experience God's presence more fully?
How can you create sacred space in your home? What memorable objects could you display as a reminder of the sacred quality of life?
Book Recommendation When God Interrupts by Craig Barnes
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