So you've realized that the Sabbath is on the seventh day and that honoring it is a good idea. But...you work on Shabbat. How can you change that? It is challenging to do holy things in a culture that does otherwise. It can take time to find a way to set apart the Sabbath day. It can be hard, but not too hard. It is possible to have a work schedule that allows you to rest on the Sabbath. Here are some ideas to get there.
-Pray about it.
This is step one! If you believe that YHWH desires you to honor his Shabbat by having a day off of work, pray for guidance about the route you should take to get there. He will provide a way for you to honor his commandment.
-And then do something.
I am reminded of the story in Nehemiah 4 when those working to rebuild the wall prayed for protection and organized a watch for safety. If money is tight do you pray for YHWH to meet your needs? Of course. But do you just sit back on the couch hoping for an unexpected check to show up or do you go to work, put in overtime, delay a shopping trip, search the couch cushions for change, etc. to scrape up enough money for your bills? Faith goes with action!
-Be a great employee.
If you want your employer to accommodate your desire to rest on the Sabbath, it helps to be great at what you do. Honing your professional skill set, working hard, following directions and protocol, having a positive attitude, going the extra mile, being friendly and considerate to coworkers and clients, intentionally working towards getting better at what you do, showing up on time - these are things that companies value. If you show up at work with a poor attitude, slack off from your duties, complain and gossip why would anyone go out of their way to have you work for them? Being hard working and reliable means that your place of business will be more likely to go out of their way to keep you around.
-Talk to your boss about changing your availability.
Your supervisor is not going to change your schedule unless you talk to them about it. It might not be the most comfortable conversation, but if honoring Shabbat is important to you then it's necessary. You don't need to give a ton of details if you don't want to. You could start the conversation with something like, "I've decided to start observing the Biblical Sabbath day which is Saturday and I'd like to talk with you about options for me to have that day off." If being direct is difficult, consider putting it in writing.
-What if your supervisor questions your sincerity?
Many people have been questioned by their employer about their beliefs, and it usually goes along the lines of, I thought you were always religious, why would this be an issue now? or It sounds like you just don't want to work Saturdays. Employers are allowed to ask some questions on your faith, and how and when you present your request will have some affect on how it is received. If the company has just announced it will no longer pay time and a half on Saturdays and that's when you say you can't work then for religious reasons...well, you can see how that would look suspicious. Otherwise, just honestly tell them that your beliefs have changed. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (they enforce the non discrimination laws) has pointed out that religious beliefs and practices do change over time, so what you've done in the past should not determine your present beliefs.
Make it a point to show the sincerity of your beliefs at other times as well. Would coworkers be surprised that you're a believer based on your workplace behavior? Is your boss able to drive by your home and see you mowing the grass on your 'day of rest'? There are countless ways you can show that your faith is important to you, which is an excellent testimony to others, and should go a long way with your workplace accommodating your desire to honor Shabbat.
-Sign up for other shifts.
When I first started observing the Sabbath day I worked for a radio station where I made promotional appearances on the weekend and in the evenings. Because our schedule of events was always different we signed up for what we could cover each week. So I stopped signing up for Saturday events but I made up for it by working more at other times. Sunday I was there. Friday morning, Wednesday night? Yep, any time that was not the Sabbath I would do. Had I just crossed Saturday events off the calendar I wouldn't have fulfilled the requirements of my job; working above and beyond the minimum for the rest of the week made it possible to get that day off though. And by making myself available so much the rest of the week I stayed on my boss' good side which didn't hurt either.
Similarly, a friend was able to get out of working at a grocery store from Friday night - Saturday night (notoriously busy times for retailers), by agreeing to work the hard-to-fill overnight shift Saturday night/Sunday morning. He had never worked thirds before, and didn't really fancy the idea of it it but it was worth it to him to have the Sabbath off.
-Find someone to switch shifts with.
Ask around to see if someone would be willing to trade shifts with you. Someone else might actually prefer the hours you are trying to give up, but you probably won't know unless you ask. You can sweeten the pot by offering to work on Christmas, Easter, etc. - covering those can help you to get off for the Biblical holidays. Be sure to clear any shift trades with your boss if necessary.
-The legal stuff.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is a federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating based on religion (as well as sex, race, color, and national origin), so it is a crime for your workplace to discriminate against you because you are a Sabbath keeper. This means that federal law requires companies to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of their employees except if doing so would create an "undue hardship" on the employer. "Undue hardship" gets defined as something beyond minimal cost or burden to the employer. Basically, how difficult would it be for your employer to change your schedule? Typically an example is that if you not working on the Sabbath would cause your employer to force someone else to come in or cause them to pay someone overtime to work for you that would be undue hardship, whereas switching shifts with a willing coworker would not. Title VII also says that your employer cannot retaliate against you for exercising your rights to religious accommodation. Obviously the water gets a little murky with the terms reasonable accommodation or undue hardship, but if you feel like you are being discriminated against consider consulting with a lawyer. There are free legal chatlines where you can ask questions, so you can get a better idea of the specifics in your situation.
-Look for other jobs.
What if your employer is not accommodating or the nature of your job demands work on the Sabbath? Rather than throwing your hands up in the air, grab the classified section. See what's out there. Ask around. Send in your resume. Start exploring your options and you may be surprised at what comes up.
-If you're self-employed.
Obviously being self employed gives you the freedom to set your own schedule but facing a drop in business can be daunting. Be encouraged by many stories from self-employed hairstylists, photographers, etc. who have stopped working on Saturdays and have actually seen an increase in business. This might require some changes, like focusing more on family portraits and less on weddings for photographers, for example. But it is most certainly an option for entrepreneurs! As with being a great employee, being excellent at what you do and providing great customer service means customers and clients will work with your schedule.
-What about emergency workers?
In our society there are many jobs that require someone to be there 24/7. I get that. I'm glad that healthcare and help from the police is always available. Caregivers for the elderly or disabled are needed every day of the week. There is also the occasional need for things like snow clearing services, radio and news workers (during natural disasters or storm warnings, for example), and people on call to fix power and phone lines. Does that mean people in these fields have a free pass from observing the Sabbath?
If you're in a field like this, definitely pray about what YHWH wants you to do. While emergencies come up, I don't think this means YHWH wants someone regularly missing out on his set apart day. There is a big difference between a doctor getting called in for life-saving emergency surgery or to help a woman in labor, versus scheduling a routine appointment on Shabbat. I would add that right now there are plenty of people who don't honor the Sabbath day, so it's not like people aren't available to cover your hours. I believe that as we see a shift towards more and more people honoring Shabbat there will be less of a need for many of these services. For example, if sporting events aren't on the Sabbath and factories and job sites are closed, there will be fewer injuries and hence less need for medical services.
As the priests rotated duties in the Temple, I think rotation and taking turns is absolutely essential for jobs like this. For jobs that require round the clock services or someone on call, see about rotating and taking turns so that everyone is able to honor at least some Shabbats.
-If you're interviewing for a job.
Be up front about what schedule would work for you. Don't tell a company that your availability is completely open and then expect them to accommodate you later. We have found that clarifying that you don't mind working overtime or inconvenient shifts, just not the Sabbath for religious reasons, is a good way to clarify your expectations to a would be employer.
-Get creative.
Is a job that pays less offering weekends off? Maybe downsizing your home or vehicles would make a pay decrease a feasible option. Could you start a side hustle to make up for income lost from Saturday overtime? Could one spouse pick up another job so they can afford for the other to have the Sabbath off? Is going into business for yourself a possibility?
What's been your biggest challenge in stopping work on the Sabbath day? For those of you who have been able to do so, what helped you to free up the day? What advice would you give to someone that wants to stop working on Shabbat?
Sharing some ideas for make ahead meals for the Sabbath today! Especially when it's chilly (and it is here!), nothing beats a warm homemade meal, don't you think? All of these meal ideas are made ahead and then simply reheated when you're ready to serve. You could microwave them if you wish, but if you're feeding several people it's easier to just place your dish in the warm oven.
How long it will take to reheat them will vary, but probably 30 minutes for most of the casseroles would be a good starting point. Less time for the meals where you are just heating up an element or two, like the falafel. If your dish is glass or ceramic, most manufacturers recommend letting the oven preheat before putting in the dish, as there is less chance it would crack that way. Shabbat friendly accompaniments would be green salad, bread, raw veggies, and relishes like olives and pickles.
If slow cooker meal ideas or cold lunches would be a better fit for you, here are some ideas.
Vegetarian Cajun Spiced Shepherd's Pie from Healthy Nibbles and Bits
Butternut Squash Falafel from Snixy Kitchen
Mexican Rice Stuffed Peppers from Healthy Nibbles and Bits
Broccoli, Cheddar, and Spinach Frittata from Cookie and Kate
Rutabaga Baked Ziti from A Beautiful Plate
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Broccoli from Love and Lemons
Lentil Baked Ziti from Cookie and Kate
Moroccan Lentil Stuffed Eggplant from Minimalist Baker
Harissa Roasted Cauliflower with Delicata Squash from Healthy Nibbles and Bits
Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Gratin from Cookie and Kate
Butternut Squash Baked Mac and Cheese from Healthy Nibbles and Bits
Zaatar Grilled Chicken Bulgar Bowls from A Beautiful Plate
Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples from Minimalist Baker
Baked Pear, Chocolate, and Hazelnut Oatmeal from Top With Cinnamon
More Sabbath meal ideas:
My menu inspiration has really changed from when I last shared meal ideas for the Sabbath day. When snow and ice and low temperatures are out in full force there's nothing like a warm meal for comfort. How do you serve a hot meal without cooking on Shabbat? One solution is to use a slow cooker. Depending on what you're making, you can start simmering your meal on Friday for Shabbat lunch. Soups and things with plenty of liquid work best for this. Otherwise, just toss your ingredients in the crock ahead of time and then keep it in the fridge. On the Sabbath day all you'll need to do is set the crock in the base to get it cooking. Meals don't get much easier than that. Utilizing a slow cooker to avoid working at meal preparation on Shabbat is a great way to honor the Sabbath day.
Crockpot Moroccan Soup from Half Baked Harvest
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Risotto from Well Plated
White Chicken Chili from Well Plated
Crockpot Creamy Cashew Chicken from Half Baked Harvest
Make this vegetarian by swapping the chicken with extra potatoes, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or chickpeas.
Slow Cooker Oatmeal from A Beautiful Plate
Slow Cooker Corn and Potato Soup from Healthy Nibbles and Bits
Slow Cooker Enchiladas from Oh My Veggies
Slow Cooker Smoky Refried Black Beans from Oh My Veggies
Serve these with the fixings for tostados or burritos. Tortillas, salsa, chopped peppers, lettuce, cheese, etc.
Slow Cooker Winter Minestrone Lentil Soup from A Beautiful Plate
Crockpot Mexican Casserole from Well Plated
Crockpot Salsa Verde Pozole from Half Baked Harvest
Slow Cooker Potato and Cauliflower Curry from Half Baked Harvest
Hopefully these meal ideas can help you to have a more restful Sabbath.
If you've ever wondered about the Sabbath day in the New Testament this post is for you. Many people have told me that if the Sabbath was truly important for us it would have been mentioned by the Messiah or in the New Testament. The thing is though that Shabbat actually gets brought up a lot in the New Testament. More times than in the Torah! And with the New Testament only making up about a third of the whole of Scripture, Shabbat appears in higher proportions than in the Tanakh.
Shabbat is such a foundational part of the lifestyle that Scripture teaches it often goes without saying. Sort of like how I've never seen the days of the week listed in order in a newspaper or magazine. This information is so obvious in our world that it's unspoken. The New York Times does not need to tell it's readers that Monday is after Sunday and that it's the most dreaded day of the week, but a time traveler from the Shang dynasty wouldn't have any idea about this.
If honoring the Sabbath is not part of your culture, then the implied presence of it is easy to miss. I think one of the reasons Peter, John, and Paul don't talk about observing Shabbat more expressly is that it never crossed their minds that those who follow the Messiah would scratch off one of the ten commandments.
And speaking of those ten commandments, do you realize Yahusha spent comparatively little time on the other nine? Sabbath keeping comes up far more often in the New Testament than things like not killing or having no gods in your life besides YHWH. Do we think YHWH has "freed" us from the restriction to not murder or that we can go ahead and lie and steal? Of course not! Even without saying much on the subject we know that the Messiah still wants us to honor these commandments. Hopefully seeing how much Shabbat comes up throughout Scripture will help us to see how valuable it is to the Living Word.
Let's take a look at where Shabbat appears in the New Testament:
Hebrews 4:9 - There remains Shabbat for the people of YHWH.
Did you hear that? This book was written many years after Yahusha ascended into Heaven and the writer of Hebrews didn't believe that Shabbat was no longer applicable to us.
Luke 6:5 - The Son of Man is Master of Shabbat.
Why would the Messiah give himself this title if he wanted us to ignore this commandment? Does that make any kind of sense? He also described himself as the Good Shepherd - do we say he is out of the shepherding game? Do we think he used to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life for other people but not for us? Scripture tells us that not only did Yahusha keep Shabbat but also that he has taken ownership of the idea of Shabbat. The commandment that his people make the seventh day a set apart one belongs to him.
Matthew 12:12 - It is permitted in Torah to do mitzvoth on Shabbat.
You know how Yahusha was constantly accused of violating Shabbat? Those accusations were false. Here he explains that the Torah actually permits healing on the Sabbath day. This is not him bending the rules or blowing off part of Scripture. This is the Living Word explaining correct understanding of YHWH's commandments for Shabbat. If his intent was to do away with one of the commandments in a year or two after his death he would not have spent so much time working to correct our understanding of it.
Acts 13:14 - They came to Antioch in Pisidia and went into the synagogue on Shabbat.
I used to work for a Christian ministry that is very passionate about the book of Acts being a life manual for today's Believers. The ministry believes healings and miracles were not just limited to the early church, but what YHWH desires for his people today. I totally agree with this but I would also take things a step further: look at the other parts of the lives of the people in this book. These miracles happened through Shabbat keepers. Let's view this as a manual and live the way they did.
Luke 23:56 - They went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Here is an example of Yahusha's followers observing Shabbat after his death. Many say there is too much pressing work that needs to be done to take a day of rest, but Yahusha's followers didn't violate the Sabbath, even for his sake. I imagine if these women had ever heard Yahusha teach that keeping Shabbat was not important they would have made an exception at such a significant time. But they didn't. The spices were an important part of burial tradition and it was clear they wanted to do this as soon as possible since they went "very early" in the morning after the Sabbath to anoint his body.
Colossians 2:16-17 - Let no one judge you in connection with Shabbat...except the Israelite body of the Messiah.
YHWH knew that many people would not understand our desire to honor his Sabbath, which is why he warned us not to let their opinion sway us. This also tells us that it's not optional. We are not free from judgment regarding Shabbat (and also foods and feast days) so we can just do whatever we want. This verse tells us that judgment is passed by the body of the Messiah. As the bride, the body's beliefs on Shabbat should be unified with the Messiah's.
1 Corinthians 16:2 - After one of the Shabbats let everyone one of you lay aside and store up what YHWH has blessed him with.
Shabbat is still treated like a normal part of life here because it was. Yahusha never wanted his followers to give up a commandment of YHWH and early on his followers were aware of that.
Matthew 24:20 - Pray that you will not have to escape in winter or on Shabbat.
Yahusha is talking here about a time that 2,000 years later has not yet happened. The escape in question is after the abomination of desolation appears in the Beit Hamikdash. Why does he use this anecdote about praying that you won't have to flee on Shabbat? It's obvious he expects his people to be aware of and desire to honor Shabbat.
Acts 17:2 - As was his custom, Paul went into a synagogue on Shabbat and reasoned with them from the Scriptures.
Why does Paul have a habit of teaching from Scripture on the Sabbath? Because that is an activity that is approved of for Shabbat. We do not see him working as a tent maker (some would say a tallit maker), traveling, or shopping on the set apart day. One of the greatest Scripture teachers of all time knew not to violate Shabbat and we have no record that he ever did, even though Acts frequently talks about what Paul was up to on the Sabbath.
Acts 15:21 - For Moshe from old times has in every city those that proclaim his teachings, with his Torah being read in the synagogues very Shabbat.
Here instructions are given on how to handle people coming into the faith that have no foundation of the commandments about set apart living. A few basic pointers are given to them (stay away from idols, sexual sin, and blood), and then Scripture tells us to get these people to start observing Shabbat. On the Sabbath day, get to somewhere that is teaching YHWH's instructions so that you can learn how to live.
Revelation 12:17 - The dragon went to make war with the remnant of the woman's children, the ones that keep the commandments of YHWH, and have the testimony of Yahusha the Messiah.
The commandments and Yahusha. YHWH wants us to have both.
There are something like 58 express mentions of Shabbat in the New Testament, so this is by no means a conclusive list. Did you ever realize what a popular word this was in Scripture? What stands out to you about Shabbat keeping?
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