The Art of Shabbat

When I first started to practice shabbat I just had some basic candles. Start with what you have. It is about the heart's intention to know Adonai and set time apart to be with Him. This is a gift He has given us to be refreshed and restored.

Shabbat is your own canvas to paint.... here are just some of the colours and elements.

We begin at sunset on Friday evening so prior to this time there may be some things to do in your home.

Typically we would spend some time on a light household tidy to ensure the dwelling is free of clutter (as best you can with little ones) with a light clean to ensure your environment is pleasant.

I will usually prepare the dough for the challah in the afternoon, set out the lamps with oil and wicks and begin to prepare the evening meal.

We do not do any work that will generate an income on Shabbat, I used to close down and stash the laptop away by 2pm on Fridays (this includes any quick looks at investments, share trading etc) but more recently I have been finishing my working week on Thursday evening.

We want to draw our minds away from the temporal "system" of the world that surrounds us into the rest and eternal provision that Abba has created for us.

At sunset , the woman of the household will kindle the lamps (some families also place a small candle for each child in the home) and bless Adonai:

"Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat.

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candles."

The word bless is associated with the humbling of ourselves and lifting up in honour there person we are blessing, acknowledging their value. When we press pause on our lives on Friday evening we are honouring Adonai and as we light the candles, we keep alight the presence of Him in the world through our lives, we are in effect the lamps.

A special meal with family is enjoyed on Friday evening and we usually incorporate the bread (challah) and wine and remember Yeshua's atoning work for us at Calvary. He is our resting place and our living water.

Shabbat evening meal is not the time to be stressing yourself out about the food or inviting people over you barely know. I usually try to plan something that will be tasty but easy to make ahead of time. Think slow coooker or as we did recently fresh seafood already prepared!

This is the time for the of restoration of...... your ..... soul.

We will listen to the Torah portion. Over the next day, week we want to let that portion really seep into our lives, absorb it, meditate on it, ask the Lord to show us how we can sh'ma (hear and do).

I had never been around anyone that observed Shabbat and so whilst I had vaguely heard and read about Sabbath, I really had no idea what it was all about. It was only as I began to practice Shabbat that Yeshua started to show me from the Word why it is such an important part of this legal contract (covenant) with Adonai. I had been ignoring #4 of the "Big 10" for along time and I was about to get on the express learning lane. Now I can see why.

So why don't we work to earn on Shabbat?

Well you will find out more as your learn the story of Torah but in essence we are spiritual beings, living souls that desperately need connection to our Creator. We need down time to be still and know that He is God, our Abba (father in Aramaic). He loves and cares for us and has promised to be our provider. We are not machines plugged into a system (though some folk would very much like us to be).

We are valued, treasured and loved .....by an all powerful Creator who knows us by name.

Our value is far greater than our commercial output and Adonai had to take drastic action to set his children free from slavery in Egypt after they went down to the big city when a drought came through and instead of heading back to the wild open free country, got seduced into staying by the luxury high life along the Nile and the blue chip real estate at Goshen. When the credit card was called in they couldn't pay the debt so they were stuck building someone else's empire for 400 years.

Sound familiar? (things haven't changed much)....

So we rest from our work, and we recharge the batteries, we take time out with Abba, to be with Him, to speak with Him, receive His counsel and guidance; and be restored, body, mind and spirit.

Shabbat is the cure for burnout and mental strain.

So in the morning.... sleep in! just rest and relax, nothing to rush around for.

He's got you baby!

The second loaf of challah can be enjoyed with eggs for brunch or with lunch (first is eaten Friday evening) you will find out more about this when you do it.

You might be reflecting on your week and recall some things that weren't so great just write it down for later, download it. Forgive those who you need to, and if you've caused offence, make a note and do what you can to make it right after Shabbat is over.

Some things I like to do on Shabbat:

• Spend time with loved ones

• Enjoy good, refreshing company, people that build you up and encourage your soul only, no takers today please!

• Go out into nature, allow creation to revitalise you, hike , swim, climb, have fun!

• Go to mikvah in the sea or a flowing body of water

• Have a picnic, lie down on a blanket and read the Word, soak in the Word, pray, write a poem

• Have some fellowship with others who are seeking Adonai

• Have fun, laugh, play a funny song or listen to a funny story or poem, laughter is medicine

Above all though spend some time alone with Abba today, sneak away with Him for an hour or so, allow his love and tenderness to restore you, download all the heartache and tension from your week.

Pour your heart out to Him and wait for that refreshing living water to restore your thirsty soul. It always comes to those who seek Him.

And then as Shabbat comes to a close, go for a walk at dusk or grab a blanket and a hot chocolates for everyone and go and sit outside and enjoy the last few moments of Shabbat waiting for the first star of the evening to appear.

Be together.

We are all on a journey.

Shabbat is your weekly pit stop to rest and recharge.

We all need this gift, who can you share it with this week?

Shalom friends.

x

Cara