Corrie ten Boom, the Dutch heroine who helped save Jewish lives in the occupied Netherlands in WWII, once said: “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” The truth is, both sin and busyness cut us off from connection with God, with other people, and even with our own souls. Indeed, busyness can be the death of richness and depth in prayer.

The world was introduced to the iPhone in 2007. Then along came Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in addition to texting, emails, and the internet. This newly introduced technology resulted in a frenzy of phone and computer activity. A recent study found the average iPhone user touches his or her phone 2,617 times a day, and for millennials, that number is twice as high. Whistleblowers inside the Silicon Valley have said everything is intentionally designed to distract, a phenomenon known as “Attention Economy.” They’ve explained that if they can get your attention, then your attention will also be given to advertisements, and it is advertisements that provide the profits.

In his bestselling book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Pastor John Mark Comer offers more insight into social trends, including what he calls the “demise of guys.” The average guy spends 10,000 hours playing video games by the age of 21. What we’re seeing is a generation that is marrying later (or not at all), postponing the launch of their careers, and basically spending more time in a virtual world than in the real one. Think about it: in 10,000 hours, you could master any craft, or get both your bachelor's and master’s degrees.

Another social trend is that people are spending more hours a week working. On average, workweeks have increased from 41 to 47 hours. America has been called the “no vacation nation” since it does not have any paid vacation time mandated by federal law (in comparison to other well-off countries). For example, France requires 30 paid vacation days per year, Germany requires 20, and Canada requires 10. And even when employers offer paid vacation days, most Americans don’t use them all (many who do use them often fail to leave work behind).

Personally, I have learned from the Bible and the Jewish people about the importance of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is the only spiritual discipline included in the Ten Commandments, coming in at number four. It is listed right among the admonitions to not murder, lie, or commit adultery. In Exodus 20, the Lord reminds His people to remember the Sabbath because it was modeled after the seven days of creation, when even God rested one day after working for six.

The Deuteronomy 5 account of the Sabbath is grounded in the Exodus story of God’s people living as slaves in Egypt. In this passage, the Lord is telling Israel to be freed from the slave mentality because slaves don’t take a Sabbath rest. “Shabbat” means to “cease,” or to stop work and activity. Sabbath is a resistance to the temptation of needless accumulation, slavery, and workaholism.

In Isaiah 58, the Lord describes the "fast that He has chosen," which will "make your voice be heard on high." Along with fasting, He also describes keeping the Sabbath, as well as giving to the poor and ceasing from negativity. In 2 Chronicles 36, the Lord outlines why the children of Israel went into captivity for 70 years (one year for every 7th Sabbath year over a 490-year period during which they did not let the land rest). Israel was in captivity for 70 years, “until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths.” It behooves us to know that God takes the Sabbath seriously.

As you explore learning about how to keep a Sabbath rest– whether it is Saturday, Sunday, or another day– keep in mind the Jewish day is from sundown to sundown, and Sabbath in Israel is from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Personally, I sensed from the Lord that I should turn off my phone and computer and prioritize three things: spending more time with the Lord, spending more time with family and close friends, and more time in nature, taking in the beauty of creation. These things lead to the rest of my spirit and soul. For me, keeping a weekly Sabbath of ceasing from work (including shopping and cleaning) has led to a renewed sense of peace as I seek to enter into the rhythms of God’s grace.