Just read a great article on The Resurgence: Spiritual Disciplines: Sabbath & Work

I have attempted at different times keeping a very strict Sabbath, not allowing anything to encroach on my day. It’s not easy. Especially for a Worship leader. Right now I mark out Saturday as my Sabbath because it’s the only day where it’d be remotely POSSIBLE for me to have nothing going on. I keep as free of regular obligations as possible for my own sanity. I am almost always doing something on Saturdays though.

This quote was refreshing:

“Legalistic attempts have been made to rob the Sabbath of its worship and joy by carefully mandating what can and cannot be done. However, Jesus seemed to have intentionally lived in public view to serve as a contrary model of the Sabbath than that given by other legalistic teachers. For example, Jesus healed on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1–14, John 9:1–17), taught on the Sabbath (Mark 6:1–2), and promoted evangelism on the Sabbath (John 7:21–24). Jesus demonstrated that the Sabbath is not to be enforced legalistically, but that it exists for worshipful fun and rest. Furthermore, our true Sabbath is not in a day but ultimately in a saving relationship with Jesus where we can rest from trying to earn our salvation and rest in His finished work (Matthew 11:28–30; Romans 4:5; Colossians 2:16–17). Therefore, the Sabbath is not a law for believers to obey, but instead a grace to enjoy.”

Key words here: worship, rest, enjoy, grace.

We still try to mandate what can and can’t (should and shouldn’t) be done on a Sabbath. My recommendation is to keep it free of structure and obligation, but continue to look for opportunities to worship in service, encouragement, evangelism, mercy, and charity, all fueled by God’s grace and not out of a sense of duty (other than to our Lord).