A Month Of Sabbaths.

by Chris Kamalski

I have been deliberately been trying to slow down and practice the discipline of Sabbath Rest during the month of August, which has also coincided with our wider NieuCommunities crew practicing the discipline of simplicity (which I will post on at the Pangani NCSA blog  in the coming days) this entire month, seeking to not only cut our non-essential expenses in half for the month in order to be able to actively practice generosity, but also deliberately live within a different sort of rhythm as well.

A huge ‘No-Duh’ ensued for me, as I struggle to a fairly deep degree to actively slow down on Sundays, engaging in true Sabbath Rest. Rather, I often find myself either hiding from God and others (engaging in false forms of rest), or seeking to overcompensate for the rest that I feel is lacking by sleeping way too late or watching too many DVD’s.

This month has felt different somehow on Sundays though.  Maybe it is because I have rarely used my laptop, Facebooked, or checked email (Hah! I don’t check email ‘enough’ any day!).  Maybe it is because I have sought to spend time outside each Sunday.  Or maybe it is simply due to the fact that Spring is finally hinting at its arrival with warm afternoon breezes and the temptation to put on shorts and pursue a sunburn (Check: Successful this afternoon!).

Whatever the case may be, as we prepare to turn the page into September this coming Tuesday, I head to bed this Sabbath day nodding my head at a fairly successful attempt at actually slowing down, enjoying life, and seeing God’s hand in all things this month.  Truly, I find myself agreeing with Jesus as he commented, ‘The Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’

3rd Place Church. Sarah rocking the teaching. True Afrikaner chicken braai. First sunburn of the season. Afternoon nap. Sports highlights. Funny South African comedian spewing ridiculousness. A (short) walk in the park. Huge crew of new folk at the evening gathering. Fun pizza dinner with friends new and old(er).

Finally feeling like I’m making true relational connections with friends(!) here in South Africa…