What I Wish You Understood About the Sabbath

Dear younger me,

I’m going to say something that may surprise you. Here it goes: One day you’re going to be thankful for the Sabbath. Yeah, yeah, I can feel you rolling your eyes from 15 years in the future. But listen. What you see now as an interruption to normal life will one day become your shelter in it.

Let’s start with the part of Sabbath you dread most as a kid.

1. Family worships you resist will become moments you treasure.

You don’t realize it now, but those Friday and Saturday night worships with your family are more precious than you think. I know you feel that there are better things to do. You volunteer to read the Bible story just because you know you can read it faster than Mom, or you lean back on the couch, angling your head just right so Mom and Dad can’t see your eyes close. What’s the point? You’ve heard these stories a thousand times. And if Dad asks one more question about the moral of the story . . .

You know that as soon as Saturday night worship is over, you can catch up on that show, buy that new shirt, or meet up with that friend. It’s true, those things are exciting, but don’t be so quick to rush away special Sabbath moments like these.

Sabbath brings people together more than any other day. During the week you have sports until late, Mom and Dad have meetings, and your brother is busy with friends. But Friday night you know everyone will be together.

In 15 years you’ll be 833 miles (1,340 kilometers) from your parents’ house, and you’ll miss sitting down as a family for Sabbath worship. You’ll wish your mom would play one more song on the piano, and you’ll actually take a turn asking your dad a question for once. You’ll realize that what was once an inconvenient routine was actually sacred—and temporary.

And if family worship feels dull, the music doesn’t help much, does it?

2. Sabbath music will draw you into God’s presence.

You think now that there’s only so much “Father, I Adore You” and “Seek Ye First” you can tolerate in one day. You dread family road trips that fall on Sabbath because you know what’s coming: the same two Christian CDs on repeat for hours. Was it the Casting Crowns disk first, or Steven Curtis Chapman?

I understand your feelings. “It Is Well” and “Graves Into Gardens” aren’t exactly the trendy songs your friends are talking about. MercyMe wasn’t just nominated for a Grammy, and Lauren Daigle isn’t on her Eras tour. But what you don’t see yet is how Sabbath music will one day calm your anxious heart and—ironically, in the words of a song you don’t even like—turn your eyes upon Jesus.

There is nothing like the way Sabbath music draws you to a heartfelt surrender before the King of kings. Sabbath mornings, as Brandon Lake sings, “So I throw up my hands and praise You again and again, ’cause all that I have is a hallelujah,” will become your safe space. You will find yourself renewed in such lyrics as “All my life You have been faithful. All my life You have been so, so good.” More than once you’ll break down in tears before your car even reaches the church parking lot.

Every no you say confirms who you are and who you live for. All your nos make space for God’s yeses.

So don’t be so quick to dread Sabbath because of the music you feel restricted to. Instead, use the words to praise God for the restorative gift of His Sabbath, let yourself be drawn into the peace of His presence, and realize that this music is not holding you back, but leading you to Him.

But Sabbath isn’t only about worship and songs. Sometimes it requires sacrifice.

3. The nos you say will shape your faith.

I know it wasn’t easy to say no to the gymnastics state championship or the final game of the volleyball season. I know you missed that one birthday party everyone else went to, the trip to the mall with friends, and the test that could have opened doors for your career. It feels as if your religion kept you from building friendships, blocked opportunities, and stole experiences. That’s one way to see it. But one day you’ll realize that every no built routine, shaped character, and quietly witnessed.

The truth is, you’ll keep saying no in the future. But instead of resenting those two letters, you’ll be empowered by them. Every no you say confirms who you are and whom you live for. All your nos make space for God’s yeses.

And later, when life itself starts to feel heavier than you can carry, you’ll see Sabbath in a whole new way.

4. Sabbath will be your anchor in the storm of life.

Soon you’ll feel as if you’re drowning in midterm exams. Then you’ll feel the weight of running from one responsibility to the next. Someday there will be too much work and not enough time. And beyond that, you’re going to be challenged—injuries that set you back, confusion about the path forward, relationships that fail, stress that won’t lighten up. In all of it you’re going to lose sight of God sometimes. You’re going to neglect daily Bible reading. You’re even going to forget to pray.

But then the sun dips below the horizon on Friday, and suddenly the storm quiets. Sabbath is a reminder to lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus. Whatever weighed you down during the week is never too heavy for God to lift off your shoulders.

One day you’ll realize what a gift it is. Amid the work deadlines and the bills, the grocery shopping and the dentist appointments, one thing remains steady: Sabbath always arrives, bringing renewal for body, spirit, and mind. Sabbath is the one day you can count on when everything else feels uncertain.

I know it’s hard right now to see Sabbath as anything more than mundane and inconvenient. But one day you’ll understand why God called it holy. You’ll choose it for yourself, not just because your parents do. And when you do, you’ll find rest when you’re weary, belonging when you’re alone, healing when you’re broken, and space to meet with God Himself.

From the you who finally understands,

Hannah