Devotional: The Wright Way to Rest
The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)
I enjoy reading and am especially drawn to biographies. In October 2015, I spent a good portion of a long international flight listening to the audiobook version of The Wright Brothers by David McCullough.
I also have a natural interest in aviation. Not only do I live in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation, but my first job was in the aerospace industry where I worked on the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor. So the history surrounding the Wright brothers’ first successful flight in December 1903 fascinates me, and I was particularly captivated by McCullough’s account of the brothers’ subsequent improvements to the airplane, as well as their other business endeavors.
Wright Brothers – Go-Getters
Wilbur and Orville Wright were real go-getters. They worked long, hard days, repeatedly persevering through obstacles and setbacks. Both men were passionate, intelligent, and attentive to detail. And it was pretty much standard practice for them to work all day every Saturday. Today we might describe them as workaholics.
Wright Brothers – Faithful to the Sabbath
Yet every Sunday, the Wright brothers stepped away from work—far away. Their Sabbath routine started with church in the morning, followed by a family meal, a walk in the park, relaxing, and hearty conversation or reading during the evening. They avoided working on any of their projects, and they also refused to talk shop. These guys knew how to rest, and I believe it contributed to their efficiency, effectiveness, and long-term success.
Embrace the Sabbath
You and I live in a 24/7/365 culture. This makes it hard to lay aside our work and actually enjoy a Sabbath rest once every seven days. If this is the case with you, I encourage you to read or listen to the Wright brothers’ biography and pay close attention to this aspect of their routine.
Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). What changes can you make to improve your Sunday routine? Can you discipline yourself to step completely away from e-mail and social media for one full day each week? Should you start a new tradition and take a relaxing walk with your family every Sunday? Think about what you can do to take your Sabbath to the next level. After all, it was made for you.
Dear Father in heaven, may I make time to be still and wait on you, rest in your Son, and fellowship with the Spirit. Help me to slow down and keep a Sabbath rest as part of my weekly routine. Thank you for the blessing of a Sabbath day, which can renew my spirit, keep me healthy, and remind me of your abiding love and faithfulness. Amen.
Walking by faith and enjoying the homeschooling adventure of a lifetime!
©2017 Davis Carman
