A sabbath sunday invitation
I recently listened to an OnBeing podcast interview with filmmaker Tiffany Shlain, who has been practicing an intentional weekly time of unplugging from technology with her family for the last 10+ years. As she described the 24 hours of freedom from technology, I was inspired to reflect on not only my relationship to technology but my understanding of sabbath.
“Tech Shabbats,” as she calls them, create “space to digest everything you’ve experienced that week and figure out how you think about it and how it integrates to your larger narrative and — it’s just such a great thing, to create that space to think.”
Creating space for listening and reflection is not something that makes us feel useful or productive so most of us seldom do it. Maybe we aren’t even sure where to begin. According to Tiffany, we begin by making space. And I can’t help but wonder if that isn’t exactly what Jesus was doing when he hit pause and went away on numerous occasions. He may not have needed to unplug from technology, but he did need to take regular breaks from the flow of opinions & expectations that were constantly competing for his attention. I imagine him needing to digest all he was experiencing and needing to see how it fit into the bigger picture and needing to make sure he was staying connected with the Voice he most needed to hear.
Each 5th Sunday, The Well practices a Sunday Sabbath. It is a day for us to pause from the work of Sunday gatherings and to use that time to practice intentional rest, reflection and/or to reconnection. I doubt you need guidance on how to spend this Sabbath Sunday, but just in case, here are a few ideas for those who want to be intentional with the time:
Unplug. Like really unplug. Take a “tech Shabbat” as described in this OnBeing podcast.
Reflect. You can use these questions: What is saving your life right now? Give thanks for those things, people and/or practices. What is harming or hindering life right now? Is there something you need to leave behind?
Meditate. Use all or part of this scripture that has been so formative for our life together: Matthew 11:28-30, use the Insight Timer app or re-visit this Sabbath meditation.
Reconnect with something you love to do or with someone you love.
Wander. Go for a walk. Explore. Enjoy the beauty of creation.
Read poetry, play, go bike riding.
Take a nap.
Whatever you do or don’t do, know that you are loved & that we look forward to regathering next Sunday.
Peace + love,
Susan