Sabbath: A Gift of Rest for 2025 - Andrew Ranucci
We welcome Andrew Ranucci back for week two of our summer online services.
If you missed last week Andrew shared with us on the topic of celebration as a spiritual practice. This week he shares with us on another spiritual practice - Sabbath.
Andrew Ranucci opened his New Year’s message by inviting us to explore a transformative spiritual practice for 2025: Sabbath. Building on the previous week’s focus on celebration, Andrew introduced Sabbath as a practice of restoration and rest—a rhythm God has gifted to humanity for living well.
Running on Empty
To illustrate the need for rest, Andrew shared a personal story from his early days as a pastor. Like many, he pushed through busy weeks without taking time to replenish, working seven days a week while planting a church and building a house. Inevitably, he reached the point of burnout. Reflecting on this season, he likened his approach to running a car on empty—filling up just enough to get by until it stopped altogether.
This analogy resonates with many of us in today’s fast-paced world. Without consistent rest, our souls can become depleted, leading to fatigue, frustration, and even emotional struggles like impatience or anger. Andrew emphasised that Sabbath is God’s provision for avoiding this cycle. It’s a gift to restore our energy and refocus our lives on what truly matters.
A Rhythm Designed by God
Drawing from Genesis 2, Andrew highlighted how the Sabbath was modelled by God Himself during creation. After six days of work, God rested on the seventh, blessing the day and setting it apart as holy. This rhythm of work and rest was established before the fall and is central to God’s design for humanity.
Quoting Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Andrew reminded us that “God did not intend for life to be all effort.” The Sabbath punctuates our week, providing space to remember who we are, what life is about, and who it is for. It’s a day set apart for restoration, offering physical, emotional, and spiritual replenishment.
A Stark Contrast to the World
Andrew noted how countercultural the Sabbath is in today’s world, much like it was in ancient Egypt. Modern life often resembles a relentless seven-day workweek, where businesses are always open, and productivity never seems to pause. Choosing to set aside one day a week for rest can feel like an act of defiance against societal expectations. Yet, it is in this intentional choice that the Sabbath becomes a sacred act.
He explained that the word “Sabbath” means rest, and “holy” means set apart. Together, they call us to designate one day a week for ceasing work and finding restoration in God’s presence. This practice requires effort and discipline, but like all worthwhile pursuits, it yields lasting fruit.
The Invitation of Exodus 20
Andrew pointed to Exodus 20, where God gave the Sabbath commandment, not just to the Israelites but to everyone within their communities—foreigners, slaves, even animals. This inclusivity highlights God’s heart for rest as a universal gift.
He shared how the Sabbath stands in stark contrast to cultures that value constant work. Setting aside a day for rest reminds us that we are not defined by what we produce but by who we are in God. Wayne Muller’s words echo this truth: “God doesn’t want us to be exhausted.”
Jesus and the Sabbath
Turning to the Gospels, Andrew explored how Jesus viewed the Sabbath. Far from being a rigid, rule-bound observance, Jesus reframed the Sabbath as a life-giving practice. In Mark 2:27, He declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
For Jesus, the Sabbath was about celebrating life, not constraining it. Healing, eating, walking, and enjoying God’s gifts are all part of honouring the Sabbath. Andrew encouraged us to reclaim the Sabbath as a time to rest, delight in God’s creation, and engage in activities that replenish the soul.
Practical Ways to Sabbath
Andrew offered practical suggestions for embracing the Sabbath. The key is to identify activities that restore and refresh, whether that’s spending time in nature, enjoying a hobby, or sharing a meal with loved ones. He shared his own practice of kayaking on Fridays, marvelling at God’s creation as a way to replenish his soul.
He also suggested setting aside distractions like social media and electronics to create space for deeper connection with God. Reading, prayer, and reflection can help make the Sabbath a day of true rest and celebration. The goal, as Ruth Haley Barton puts it, is to cease work and delight in God’s good gifts.
Counting the Cost of Rest
Acknowledging that adopting the Sabbath takes effort, Andrew challenged us to consider what they might need to say “no” to in order to say “yes” to rest. Every choice we make has a cost, and prioritising Sabbath means rethinking how we use the 168 hours in our week.
Yet the rewards far outweigh the sacrifices. A regular rhythm of rest leads to a replenished soul, greater peace, and a deeper connection with God. Quoting Dan Allender, Andrew painted an inspiring vision: “The Sabbath, when experienced as God intended, is the best day of our lives.”
Living into the Best Version of Yourself
Andrew Ranucci concluded with a reminder that God’s invitation to rest is part of His plan for us to live as our best selves. As Psalm 23 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul.”
By embracing the Sabbath, we align ourselves with God’s rhythm of restoration, allowing Him to replenish our strength and renew our spirits. Andrew invited us to take up this practice in 2025, trusting that it will transform their lives in profound and meaningful ways.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
To help individuals and small groups reflect on the message, Andrew provided these seven questions:
What is your greatest resistance to practising a weekly Sabbath?
What activities do you find most restorative and replenishing for your soul?
What obligations or habits might you need to set aside to create space for a true Sabbath?
How does the idea of Sabbath challenge the pace and priorities of your current lifestyle?
What does it mean to you that the Sabbath is described as “holy” and “set apart”?
How can the Sabbath become a day of celebrating God’s gifts and delighting in His presence?
How might a regular rhythm of Sabbath rest impact your relationship with God, others, and yourself?
A Vision for 2025
Andrew ended his message with an encouraging vision: imagine a year where every week includes one day set apart as “the best day of your life.” This is the gift of Sabbath—a practice that nourishes the soul, strengthens relationships, and centres us in God’s love. As we step into 2025, the invitation is simple yet profound: make every effort to enter His rest.