Communication

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Recently I came across a book by a famous pastor of a very big independent congregation in North Korea who although not a doctrinal follower of the beliefs of the Seventh Day Adventist yet he practised them personally. He recalls an incident that happened in his life. His two little daughters came to him on the Sabbath day and asked, “Papa! Please give us money for buying ice-creams” He gave them the money but accompanied both of them to see that it was flushed down the drainage. “How could a thought of buying an ice-cream come into your mind on the Sabbath Day?” This was the thought process of the pastor which he conveyed to his daughters also. I could not digest the practicality involved.

Frankly speaking I have not considered the Sabbath Day on such terms. Here is a man who although not a staunch Seventh Day Adventist believer yet his life reflected the values he had. Besides following it faithfully, he emphasized its importance to the members of his household to begin with and this in turn had an impact on the entire congregation that he shepherded. The spark starts with a single person but when it gains momentum it becomes like a wildfire fire consuming everything that is unnecessary.

Yet another day, I read a book featuring the values of the co-founder, a seventy year old businessmen of a Multi-national company with world wide networks. The following statement of his indeed is very striking. “If a man cannot earn working all the six days of a week, I bet he will profit nothing by working on the Sabbath Day. I carry no business deals on that day but I go to church twice on that day.” No wonder God has blessed him bountifully both spiritually as well as materially. After reading this book, I have made it a point to go to church at least twice whenever possible although Sabbath is the only day I get to relax from worldly pursuits. His thought has somehow made a small impact in my life.

He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord. But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully. If God has asked you to take rest, then without any question take rest on that day. That which cannot be achieved by working hard on all six days of a week, possibly can never be accomplished by working on the Sabbath day isn’t it? I am asking this question to myself and therefore I urge you to also question yourself that you may come to a conclusion all by yourself with no one having to pinpoint whether your actions are right or wrong.

With globalization gaining ground everywhere, people work around the clock. God made the day for man and the night for beasts but unfortunately man works day and night straining his very system for fetching a few more money and in the bargain has almost turned into a beast unaware. There is no need for someone to be behind our backs with cane or carrot asking us to observe the Sabbath Day. It must without any say prick the heart of everyone. God expects implicit obedience and fails not in rewarding those with such virtues. It is high time that we follow the command of God instead of waiting to test whether it is right or wrong to do so.

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