Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 31:13 (New Living Translation)

Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

God is giving instructions to Moses to pass along to His people. God has set them aside for a special purpose. He wants all the people of the earth to be able to recognize these special people who are set aside for a special purpose.

One of the unique things God gives these people as a sign is the Sabbath—a day of rest.

See people resting on the seventh day of the week? They are special. The Creator chose them to do something for everyone else.

Now, we can disagree on the details. We can discuss for centuries, as people have, the special purpose God gave the descendants of Abraham and how that special purpose continues or doesn’t continue today. Still, at that place at that time, God put up a big billboard pointing to these people.

Do we have such a sign today? What is it about Christians that the world looks at us and says, “Wow, look at that. Those people are different.” What is it about me that the world looks at me and says, “Wow, look at Dwayne. He is different.” Rats. How did I come to realize this challenge that I often fail to meet? Please God, help and guide me daily.