The Sabbath Living Breakout workshop focused on aligning our lives with God and His work in the world around us. Rev. Guy Brewer and his team advocated for a life lived with Sabbath at the center core of a person’s existence. They promoted three main ideas to consider: a pace of grace, a space for grace, and a place for grace.
The Sabbath Living Team led the participants through an exposition of Psalm 23, Exodus 3, and John 15 that revealed that we are truly restored by Sabbath Living; we receive rest from our burdens, healing for our wounds, and equipping for service. The presenters explained that this is God’s intent for our everyday life, and that we should pay special attention to it this year as we live out the true and biblical meaning of Jubilee, the 50th anniversary of United Methodism.
As a closing exercise for the group, Brewer literally “walked” the participants through a “Do Love Walk.” This is a time-honed practice dating back to the 9th century, that involves taking two literal steps forward toward God, then one step back in recognition of Sabbath practices that enable us to get back in pace with what God is doing in our lives. Then we move forward two steps again with renewed purpose and energy.
Through these exercises and ideas, and the tactile tool of a Sabbath Box (which all participants received), those gathered were introduced to means of re-alignment with God out of the busy pace of life.