Q: I guess we’re what you’d call “Christmas and Easter Christians,” since those are about the only times we make it to church. But what’s wrong with that? We head to our lake cottage most weekends, and isn’t the Sabbath supposed to be a day of rest?
A: You’re right, up to a point; God knows we need rest, and one of the reasons He established the Sabbath was to give us rest. One of the Ten Commandments states, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day … you shall not do any work” (Deuteronomy 5:13-14).
But God’s plan also was to use the Sabbath to turn our hearts and minds toward Him. In other words, He wants us to set aside one day of the week as a special time of worship and reflection on God’s Word. After all, if we ignore God on that day, when else are we likely to turn to Him? We get busy and preoccupied with daily living — and end up leaving God out of the picture. God’s plan is clear: “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Deuteronomy 5:12).
The real question for you and your family, however, is this: What place does God really have in your lives? On Christmas we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world, and on Easter we celebrate Christ’s victory over death and Hell. By His life and resurrection Christ gives us hope — because He loves us.
Don’t be a “Christmas and Easter Christian” any longer, but by faith turn to Jesus Christ and put your life into His hands. Then ask Him to help you and your family to follow Him and draw closer to Him every day — perhaps through a church near your lake cottage.
