by Amy Rasmussen (copyright, 2009)
In recent years, I have discovered the necessity of “slowing down.” During a hectic season of working, commuting, graduate school and rebuilding my life after a series of bombs leveled it, I reached a place in which I physically and emotionally could not sustain the level of activity unless I took a regular day off. For the first time, I blocked off entire Sundays (not just part of them) for silence, solitude, fun, creativity and rest. What surprised me was that taking time off did not get me behind; rather it invigorated me for the upcoming week. After seeing the difference, I began thinking about Sabbath in new ways. Rather than keeping a rule so God would not be mad, I enjoyed a wonderful day off, and I started worshipping God for it! 
I actually became so enthusiastic about Sabbath, that I made time for mini-Sabbaths on weekday mornings. I began sitting in silence for twenty-five minutes (or so), thinking and feeling and questioning (whatever came to mind) with God. Sometimes, when brutally honest or irreverent thoughts popped up, I feared that a catastrophic event might occur. But when no plagues or fireballs hit the house, I started realizing that God was not upset with my honest concerns and feelings. And I started experiencing a deep sense of care.
Over time, I have realized that my life goes differently–more richly–when I start the days like that. It’s rarely smooth, but I swerve less! There’s a lot I haven’t figured out about God, but it’s clear that I don’t have to have my act together in order to be with God. It’s pretty easy to worship God for that too.
