A Day of Rest is Important

Today’s reading: Nehemiah  8:5-18

I’ve just realized that I can measure my growth as a Christian by the  change over the years  in attitude toward “Blue Laws.”

Today’s reading inspired me to do some quick research on Texas’s version of these laws, and I was reminded that they were discontinued in 1985, my junior year in high school. I remember being excited over the change in those “stupid” laws that prohibited the sale on Sundays of most everything that was not food.  How many times in my school days did I get behind on my homework and find myself in need of, say, a notebook or paper on a Sunday afternoon? I was always greeted at the grocery store with those annoying signs hanging on half the aisles saying, basically, that the Texas Legislature wanted me to be in church, not fussing over school work.

Frustrating — not to mention intrusive. I think my first-ever letter to a public official was to the Texas Senator who represented me (whose name I do not now recall) and who voted to rid the state of Blue Laws. I thanked him profusely, of course.

It’s interesting how we change.

Thanks to my spiritual growth, I now understand the roots of my annoyance at Blue Laws. I was like the people of Israel who wept when Ezra and Nehemiah told them of God’s glorious laws.

“And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.” (Verse 9)

It took more than 25 years, but I now finally understand the truth:

“and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Verse 10)

I do recognize the wisdom of separating church and state, so I won’t be asking any politician to try to bring Texas’ Blue Laws back in Jesus name. (And I can point to scripture that shows me even Jesus would not try to bring the laws back.)

But I do, certainly, think people should observe them anyway. Hobby Lobby, Chic-Fil-A and even my local Fruit King Markets always get my support these days. They are never open on Sundays.

And that is something to be joyful for, even if I find myself in desperate need for a bit of yarn, a chicken sandwich, or a watermelon.

Yes, it may be inconvenient to avoid shopping on Sundays. But I say Jesus’s eternal glory makes up for that.

The next time I’m tempted to drive down to the Stripes store on Sunday (or worse, on Christmas or Easter morning) to buy something that won’t kill me to do without, I’m going to remember Jesus (Nehemiah and Ezra too).

“So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, ‘Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.’ (Verse 11)

Just quietly resting, and worshiping the Lord, is the best way I know to spend a Sunday.

Thanks be to God for eternal glory. May I always remember to celebrate it.