DEUTERONOMY 5:15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

I’ve never actually seen It’s A Wonderful Life – not all the way through. But I’ve seen enough to understand this much: George Bailey’s life is wonderful because he’s so important. Without him around, everyone and everything would fall apart.

I can relate. Who else on earth could possibly do all the super important stuff I do?

People are depending on me. They need me. On my cell phone. In my inbox. I’m extremely essential. Without me everyone and everything would fall apart. It’s up to me to end poverty, keep a roof over my family, fill our plates with food, counsel the unhappily married and depressed and addicted and… To keep this world on its axis.

The wisest man who ever lived realized the danger wealth posed to his trust in God.

PROVERBS 30:8,9 give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD ?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

My accomplishments, reputation, and account balance tempt me to believe I’m more important than I am – that I’m Lord.

But I didn’t create life or the economies of the world, or plan my family’s days before time began. God gave me a body and a brain that work. He gave me work. He gave me a wife and three kids, and a house, a refrigerator full of food.

Therefore.

Therefore, I can leave the world and it keeps spinning.

Therefore, I can step out of your life and you’ll go on living.

Therefore, I can turn off my phone and close my laptop and everyone will survive.

To take a Sabbath requires me to trust – to really trust – that God has the whole world in his hands. Not mine.