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Post by mystic on May 16, 2020 4:21:11 GMT -8
I have been at this trying to keep the sabbath for over a year now and I'm pretty much in the same boat today as I was when I had first started.
In my household and circumstances it is impossible for me to do everything right, if it was just one thing it might be ok but here on a Saturday it can be a number of things and I am weary of having to keep apologizing and feeling guilty about this, that and the other on a Saturday. The Sabbath is supposed to be something I enjoy but that's not case always.
Like one situation here is I have a friend who helps me out with Construction work and best day for him is on Saturdays. He tells me to "tell the man [God] that I need to supervise or help with the repair and ask for forgiveness". He is Hindu so he doesn't grasp the concept that it is wrong for me knowing I am going to sin ahead of time and asking forgiveness for it "on a regular basis".
So my thing is what's the point of me telling God every Friday that I declare the Sabbath Holy when I know that I won't be able to? Maybe I'm not meant to be or simply can't become a Holy person. Maybe I should simply live my life by the Noahide laws and if this should not be good enough for God to pick me on Judgement day then I accept it.
I think at the end of the day that is what's always been eating away at me, that I cannot keep the entire day Holy and knowing that I will be breaking one or more rules on Saturdays.
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Post by alon on May 16, 2020 9:21:08 GMT -8
I have been at this trying to keep the sabbath for over a year now and I'm pretty much in the same boat today as I was when I had first started. In my household and circumstances it is impossible for me to do everything right, if it was just one thing it might be ok but here on a Saturday it can be a number of things and I am weary of having to keep apologizing and feeling guilty about this, that and the other on a Saturday. The Sabbath is supposed to be something I enjoy but that's not case always. Like one situation here is I have a friend who helps me out with Construction work and best day for him is on Saturdays. He tells me to "tell the man [God] that I need to supervise or help with the repair and ask for forgiveness". He is Hindu so he doesn't grasp the concept that it is wrong for me knowing I am going to sin ahead of time and asking forgiveness for it "on a regular basis". So my thing is what's the point of me telling God every Friday that I declare the Sabbath Holy when I know that I won't be able to? Maybe I'm not meant to be or simply can't become a Holy person. Maybe I should simply live my life by the Noahide laws and if this should not be good enough for God to pick me on Judgement day then I accept it. I think at the end of the day that is what's always been eating away at me, that I cannot keep the entire day Holy and knowing that I will be breaking one or more rules on Saturdays.
You are correct that if you continually violate Shabbat, it shows you are not seriously repenting. I have found that if I stand my ground when others pressure yme to violate Shabbat, they eventually see I am serious and give up.
I can't tell you about your friend who helps with construction. I don't know how necessary the project is, or if there is another way to do it. We live in a falen world and are pretty much limited by their calendar. But if there is any way other than with this guys help, you should do it. If not, then do the minimum. He sounds like he's willing to work alone if you'll just supervise. I know it is hard watching someone else work while you do nothing. But if this is the case, then just do the minimum amount until this project is done. And pray HaShem will make a way for you to finish without Saturdays working on the project.
I know the frustration and insecurity you feel all too well. But the answer is not to become less; not to retreat to the Noachide laws just because they are easier to keep. God did not make up that list and say "OK, you Gentiles, this is all you have to do." He gave us His Torah, and even that He did not just give as a list. He spent several books and chapters developing each commandment so we'd know the principles behind them. So we do the best we can, and trust that He is a just God, that He knows the difference in what is possible, and that He is faithful to forgive. As long as we are honest about our circumstances and what is necessary, it then is a matter of trust.
So like I said, it is for you to figure out and do the best you can. That is what we were meant to do. But becoming a Noachide is nowhere near our best. To do that would be a convenient way to assuage our conscience now as we just sin away. But do you really think it will stand up at the judgement?
Dan C |
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Post by garrett on May 16, 2020 9:26:29 GMT -8
I have been at this trying to keep the sabbath for over a year now and I'm pretty much in the same boat today as I was when I had first started. In my household and circumstances it is impossible for me to do everything right, if it was just one thing it might be ok but here on a Saturday it can be a number of things and I am weary of having to keep apologizing and feeling guilty about this, that and the other on a Saturday. The Sabbath is supposed to be something I enjoy but that's not case always. Like one situation here is I have a friend who helps me out with Construction work and best day for him is on Saturdays. He tells me to "tell the man [God] that I need to supervise or help with the repair and ask for forgiveness". He is Hindu so he doesn't grasp the concept that it is wrong for me knowing I am going to sin ahead of time and asking forgiveness for it "on a regular basis". So my thing is what's the point of me telling God every Friday that I declare the Sabbath Holy when I know that I won't be able to? Maybe I'm not meant to be or simply can't become a Holy person. Maybe I should simply live my life by the Noahide laws and if this should not be good enough for God to pick me on Judgement day then I accept it. I think at the end of the day that is what's always been eating away at me, that I cannot keep the entire day Holy and knowing that I will be breaking one or more rules on Saturdays. Hi Mystic, please don't let this torment you. So your circumstances make total observance of the Sabbath impossible - Prepare yourself a nice meal on Friday night, light a candle, say the blessing, say an honest prayer to G-d and then thank Him for whatever time you DO have to rest. Enjoy your meal. Just rest in whatever time you've been given, with gratitude to G-d. ...He knows your heart. Make the best of a small weekly tradition you made for yourself. ....think about it - ALL of us are in the Diaspora until Yeshua returns. This isn't a salvation issue so never let it come between you and the Most High G-d who loves you. - garret |
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Post by mystic on May 16, 2020 14:54:42 GMT -8
I appreciate the sentiments and advice guys. It's not so much the resting part for me guys, I welcome it and need it. It's the Holy part of this which makes it the most difficult. If all I am expected to do is rest then that I can do as its not even every month that I will be required to do some repair on a Saturday and whenever that happens then I ask for forgiveness.
I keep running into issues with situations and people around me here in this busy household for which I have to keep asking forgiveness for and wondering if what I do is wrong and that is what's stressing me, trying to keep the day Holy. So I am wondering if I cannot keep Saturdays Holy in every way and be able to measure up to what God expects of me on that day then does it make sense for me to keep the Sabbath.
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Post by alon on May 16, 2020 17:02:51 GMT -8
You keep it the best you can. Holy means set apart. It does not mean be as perfect as God. That's a standard no one can keep. If you do the best you can, then His grace is sufficient for the rest.
Dan C
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Post by garrett on May 16, 2020 20:36:04 GMT -8
You keep it the best you can. Holy means set apart. It does not mean be as perfect as God. That's a standard no one can keep. If you do the best you can, then His grace is sufficient for the rest.
Dan C Ditto that - garret |
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Post by mystic on May 18, 2020 4:21:14 GMT -8
Ok got it, will continue to do best as I can and not beat myself up with anything, appreciate the help, many blessings!
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Post by mystic on Jun 1, 2020 3:47:57 GMT -8
Hey guys, just reporting back that since this discussion with the pressure lifted off of me, I am now being more comfortable on Shabbat. I am still striving to get better at it and will always do so but no more beating myself up at every little thing which I think might not be in line. Thanks for this help, many blessings!
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