"Hallowed."

"Then the heavens & earth were finished, and all their multitude.  And on the 7th Day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the 7th day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation."

(Genesis 2:1-3)

God rested.  Creation took place.  Day & Night... Earth & Sky... Plants & Vegetation... Sun & Moon... Sea creatures & Birds... Wild Animals & Humans.  (Whew!) 

Then God rested.
And the day God rested was hallowed because of that rest.

Traditionally, we've called that day "the Sabbath."  One of the 10 Commandments reminds us to "honor the Sabbath and keep it holy."  Over the centuries we've been told that means we need to go to church and not work.  That's how we honor the Sabbath.  Worship has always been important. And initially the call to "not work" was important.  Bosses (masters) were required to give their workers (and slaves) one day off.  They weren't allowed to work 24/7/365.  Don't kill your workers (or yourselves!) with work.  Rest is needed for all.  Even God.

Most of us get at least one day off from work now.  But we don't always honor the Sabbath.  Many of us come to worship.  But that doesn't guarantee our "honoring" the Sabbath, either.  We seem to have a hard time creating space for rest & inactivity (and giving thanks to God for what He's created/provided for us!).  But we were created to need rest!  Naps.  Time with our family.  Sunset walks.  Art.  Song.  Love.  (The list could go on and on!)

God has already "hallowed" the Sabbath.  May we do the same.