Lev 16:31 It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must practice self-denial; it is a permanent statute. (HCSB)
There’s a lot to be said about the Sabbath. Jesus was the fulfillment of the Sabbath (Col 2:16-17), the Sabbath was for the Jews, the Sabbath was a part of the OT that is no longer in effect. And yet there’s an eternality I think in the Sabbath. The Sabbath is found in the creation of the world. It’s found in the Ten Commandments. And while there’s something broader than just a temporal practice, we are not stoned if we do not keep it.
But the Sabbath was made by God for people. It was something sacred for our benefit. And the truth is that I’m often distracted on the Sabbath to really set aside my soul to the Lord.
Social media is a distraction. Work that I enjoy doing is a distraction. And about everything else.
So earlier this morning I thought to myself what if I fasted from social media on the Sabbath? Mainly no checking Facebook or clicking the YouTube link. It’s amazing how much these things are a habit. I’ve made it probably a total of 10 minutes before without thinking I checked something on social. It really and truly is a “practice of self-denial.”
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” (Prov 25:28)
Social media deeply distracts our spirits. Thoughts of friends, problems or politics crowd our minds and crowd out peace.
So that’s one thing I want to grow. Taking one day of the week, the Sabbath, and making a no-social Sabbath. It goes along with a video I saw this week on doing a dopamine detox (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QiE-M1LrZk).
Also what I have realized lately is my thoughts are so pulled in so many directions that it really affects my prayer life. This is a problem. I think our addiction is stronger than we realize.
So here’s to a new journey I want to take.
The no-social Sabbath habit.
