God Takes Breaks

“Even when I don’t see it, you’re working. Even when I don’t feel it, you’re working. You never stop, you never stop working.” – Waymaker, Leeland

We’ve all heard it. It’s sung in churches across the world every Sunday. Leeland’s popular song Waymaker is an anthem that reflects a deep faith in God’s personal agency in our lives. We can have hope in our future that, no matter how dark the circumstances are that we currently face, God is always moving behind the scenes for our good and his glory. This powerful song has been sung millions of times and has helped people place their faith in a God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and who never takes breaks from working for our benefit.

There’s just one problem… it’s not exactly… well… biblical.

Now hold up- before you get out your pitchforks, don’t hear what I’m not saying. I’m not arguing for or against Leeland’s theology. To be completely transparent, I’m unfamiliar with their work outside of their most popular hit. I’m not arguing against the song being sung in churches. I’m definitely not saying that you can’t enjoy the song! 

Waymaker itself is a theologically rich song. It is a declaration of the Christian hope that God is sovereign, faithful, and powerful—able to bring all His promises to fruition even in the darkest of times.

But what if the lyrics of Waymaker unintentionally cause us to misrepresent God’s nature? What if God isn’t “always working”, but instead actually took some time off for our benefit? And what if, by misunderstanding God’s nature, we miss out a more nuanced understanding of divine work and rest that should characterize us as believers in Jesus?

The concept and discipline of Sabbath offers a refreshing alternative to the idea of an endlessly busy God, and why acknowledging His intentional respite might actually help us better understand the abundant life that Jesus offers his followers.

Honoring the Sabbath

In the opening chapters of Genesis, we’re told something surprising: after creating the heavens, the earth, and all that’s in it, God Himself takes a break. God wasn’t tired. Yet, at the same time, He rests from His labor and enjoy’s the fruits of His own creativity by taking an intentional respite. God resting on the seventh day provided a template for how mankind was created to thrive in his kingdom. Six days of work, one day of rest. Repeat. 

In Exodus 20:8, God commands His people to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” This wasn’t just a suggestion or a temporary practice. It was a rhythm designed to shape the lives of His people, reminding them of their identity and dependence on Him.

The practice of keeping the Sabbath is more than an ancient tradition; it is a spiritual discipline that remains deeply relevant. In fact, it is likely more relevant today than ever before in our culture of busyness. 

Now, I’ve talked to many theologically sound pastors who believe that the practice of Sabbath is no longer binding. That the New Covenant under Christ transcends the Old Covenant ceremonial laws (Colossians 2:16-17), that Jesus fulfills the law (Matthew 5:17-18), and that Jesus himself is our Sabbath Rest (Matthew 11:28-30). They argue the principle of rest remains, but that the practice is not binding to believers today.

And while I agree that we should not make the Sabbath a legalistic requirement like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, I believe this argument misses the forest for the trees.

We live in a culture that glorifies busyness and materialism. Productivity is often equated with worth, and rest is seen as laziness. The messages are constant: “Keep pushing,” “Keep grinding,” and “You don’t have enough…at least not yet.” But in the midst of all this noise, the Sabbath offers us a radical and countercultural invitation to step back and redefine our priorities. It invites us to pause and reflect on God’s provision. By setting aside one day each week to rest, worship, and delight in God, we say, “What I have is enough. God is enough for me.” The Sabbath teaches us contentment in a world that lives and thrives on discontentment.

How to Begin

I wish I could say that I perfectly honor the Sabbath every week. Truthfully, it is a continual struggle to intentionally set aside a full day to rest and worship. Life gets busy. We often don’t control the demands on our time with unforeseen appointments and emergencies getting in the way of the Sabbath practice.

However, observing the Sabbath is a declaration of faith. When we stop working, we acknowledge that it is God who is in ultimate control over our lives. When we rest, we admit that our value doesn’t come from what we produce but from being children of God made in His image. It takes intentionality to learn to say no, trusting that God will keep everything going and continue to provide everything we need.

If the idea of keeping the Sabbath feels intimidating, start small. Don’t start where you want to be. Start where you are. The goal isn’t perfection but progress. Here are a few steps to consider:

1. Set Aside Time: Dedicate a specific day or portion of a day to rest and focus on God. For many, Sunday is a natural choice, but it will depend on your circumstances. Because I work Sundays, Friday has become the day for our family. The principle matters more than the day.
2. Unplug: Disconnect from the distractions of technology. Turn off your phone, don’t use social media or email, and stay away from binge-watching that Netflix special. Create space to be present with God and loved ones.
3. Worship: Spend time in prayer, Scripture, and worship, centering your heart on God.
4. Rest: Allow yourself to rest physically, mentally, and emotionally. This might include, reading, going out and enjoying nature, or even taking a nap. (How awesome is God that he gives us a spiritual discipline that includes nap time? Hallelujah!)
5. Delight: Engage in activities that bring joy and gratitude. This one was particularly hard for me as I had gone so long without intentional rest that I had forgotten what would bring joy in my life. Here’s my list if it helps: Share a meal with family and friends, read a book that you enjoy, take a walk, go to the beach, practice an instrument, or participate in a project that is not strictly productive, but rather induces joy in your life.
   

The Gift of Sabbath

The Sabbath is not a burden but a gift. Jesus reminds us in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” It’s a gift of rest, renewal, and realignment with God’s purposes. It’s an opportunity to step off the treadmill of busyness and remember that God’s grace is sufficient.

In honoring the Sabbath, we declare freedom from the demands of our culture. We remind ourselves and the world that we are not defined by what we do or what we have but by who we are in Christ.

But at the same time, we should want the Sabbath. It’s such a strange thing to feel commanded to rest. It’s like being commanded to eat our ice cream after dinner or making sure to take our vacation days off. It’s through Sabbath that we get to embrace the joy of living in God’s Kingdom, knowing that the abundant life is there for believers if we give ourselves the bandwidth to intentionally experience it.

So take a break. Honor God in the Sabbath. Make it a weekly practice. Start small. Embrace the holy rhythm and find rest for your soul. Trust in the God who can take care of the details and implores us to, “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10).