December Is the Month We Forget to Breathe
Devotional week 50
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.” — Exodus 20:8–10 (NLT)
Every year, global stress levels quietly rise as December approaches. Workplace surveys show that end-of-year deadlines, family responsibilities, and financial pressures make this one of the most demanding months for many people. The season meant for reflection often becomes the season in which we neglect our own well-being. Yet long before our calendars became this crowded, God built rest into the rhythm of life- “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…” Exodus 20:8 (NLT)
God invites us to pause.
For many Christians, Sunday has long been that weekly day of rest. It is a day when people and devices slow down, emails wait, and the soul can breathe. Historically, this was not just a personal practice; Sundays were treated as sacred by the wider community. Stores closed, public spaces were largely shut, and businesses, faith-based or not, paused operations. This cultural rhythm allowed society itself to rest, reflecting a deep recognition that rest is essential for human flourishing. God did not give the Sabbath as a limitation but as a gift. Before giving the Ten Commandments, He reminded Israel of who He is: “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.” (Exodus 20:2, NLT)
Rest protects our freedom; overwork slowly steals it. Even in modern society, the pressure to be constantly available whispers the same question the serpent asked in Eden: “Did God really say…? ”Yes, God really did command rest. And maybe you would make more money if you worked nonstop. But you might also lose clarity, peace, joy, or the ability to enjoy the very blessings you’re working for. Overwork steals from us quietly, until we forget what truly matters.
Jesus reminds us of His heart for us: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
(John 10:10, NIV). Rest is part of that full life.
Challenge
Could you reclaim, even in small ways, a sense of sacred pause this week, like historically, when the entire community observed rest?
Prayer
Dear Father, thank You for modeling rest and retreat through Jesus. Teach me to step back, pause, and find quiet with You.