The Spirituality of Play – Reflections on the Sabbath

As the Grand Architect of the Universe in the opening verses of Genesis 2, God establishes the Sabbath.  He finishes the work of creation on the seventh day and rests.  He blesses the seventh day and makes it holy because He rests from the labors of creation.  Why did God find it necessary to rest?  His “rest” includes stepping back from creation and surveying His handiwork.  Any artist periodically stops in the midst of a project to assess its progress.  A break allows us to reflect upon our work.  Why do we do what we do?  Can we do it better?  How can we work smart rather than hard?  God concludes the work of creation is good; thus His rests from any further work.

Playing has spiritual dimensions to it.  In recreation, we re-create ourselves.  Time away from work enables us to gain a new perspective and approach.  Each week, we should take at least a day away from our work to rejuvenate our creativity and energy.  Utilizing the spiritual discipline of withdrawal from the world for the purpose of self-mastery increases the worth of play.

Is Sunday or Saturday the Sabbath?  The apostle Paul, in Romans 14:5, recommends the choice of a day; and makes it holy unto the Lord.  Depending upon your work schedule, the day could be Wednesday or Friday.  Nonetheless, you devote it to the Lord for worship of Almighty God and the spiritual practice of Sabbath and play.

The biblical writer offers a luscious description of the Garden of Eden given in the second chapter of Genesis.  There are exquisite details about the four rivers which led from the garden.  Also, the author details the presence of certain minerals and their worth.  He specifically lists the countries that were adjacent to the garden.  In so doing, he foreshadows the interesting people and conflicts that will emerge in the later chapters of Genesis.

In the fifteenth verse, the Lord commissions Adam to be a good steward over the garden.  “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”  Essentially, God Adam is the manager of this beautiful garden.  Our brothers and sisters who complain about the environment find biblical support in this verse.  We are to care for the earth and its resources.  We are not to rape the earth of her priceless riches in minerals, land, oil and other natural treasures because it is profitable to us.  Instead, we should cooperate with the rhythm of nature. 

Additionally, God’s charge to Adam includes the necessity of work, creativity, patience, and dignity that emerges from labor.  We were not created to be idle.  God gives each of us unique talents and abilities.  Like a good steward, we use them to honor and glorify Almighty God and serve humankind.  Accordingly, we spend part of our Sabbath practicing the spiritual disciplines in order to discern internal resources.  We return to work with new imagination.  Work enables us to utilize these talents and return a “profit” to God for His gracious gift.

In the sixteenth verse, God gives free will to humankind.  “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden.”  Initially, we were free to roam and enjoy what we saw.  However, that freedom was not absolute.  God offers a single yet rather significant condition upon our liberty.  In the seventeenth verse, God limits the freedom of humankind.  “But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”  Our freedom correlates with God’s commands.  Daily, we juxtapose our liberty with our love of Almighty God which requires we faithfully obey Him.  Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey my commands.” (John 14:23-24)  Spouses demonstrate their love for each other by faithfully obeying the commitment of their marital covenant.  Children show their love for their parents by following their instructions and guidance.  Likewise, despite our God given liberty, we prove our devotion to Him by our faithful adherence to His word.