One day, but more

The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath Mark Buchanan. W. Publishing Group, 2006.

Mark Buchanan is a Canadian author who lives on Vancouver Island with his wife and three children. He writes in a fresh, playful, and evocative way that is easy to understand and enjoy.

In The Rest of God, he expands on the words of the Lord, “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Buchanan says Sabbath should be more than one day a week set aside for worship and rest in God. It should be a way of life that reflects a spirit of thankfulness and willingness to live in the here and now, free of rushing and busyness.

The book consists of 14 chapters. Each looks at Sabbath in a different way and is followed by a practical suggestion section on how to encounter God. Buchanan calls these sections “Sabbath liturgy” because he defines liturgy as a way to encounter God.

The entire book is full of personal stories and practical examples readers can identify with, and together with the liturgy sections, can be used as the basis for small group or Bible study discussions. The book’s themes would also be excellent preaching topics, particularly as a follow-up or counterpoint to the purpose “driven” life theme widely used in Mennonite Brethren churches across the country.

This book is an excellent source for helping us understand why it is important to make time for rest, why we need to be infused with a spirit of thankfulness, and why we need to be in the present every moment of every day – all as a way of restoring our soul.

Sandra C. Crux is a retired educator, consultant, and freelance writer, and a member at Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont.