The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AS the month of August winds down, the rush of life seems to return with full force. Parents are caught in the back-to-school scramble, offices shift back into high gear, and the rhythm of summer slows into the demands of a new season. For many, it is a time when life feels anything but restful. Yet for some believers, this is exactly when they turn most deliberately to the practice of Sabbath rest.

For Michelle Rolle, a mother-of-two and full-time accountant, Sunday afternoons have become sacred. “It’s the only time in the week I don’t have my phone buzzing, emails piling up, or kids tugging on me about homework,” she said. “I try to guard those hours after church. Sometimes it’s as simple as a nap or reading scripture in my backyard. It may not sound like much, but it keeps me sane,” she told Tribune Religion. 

The concept of Sabbath, rooted in scripture, has long been a foundation of the Christian faith. It is the rhythm of work and rest, mirroring the pattern of creation itself. But in today’s world of constant notifications and unending schedules, Sabbath can feel almost impossible to keep.

 Samuel Forbes told Tribune Religion that is precisely why it is needed. 

“We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. People brag about how little sleep they get, how many jobs they’re juggling. But God never designed us to live that way. Rest is holy. Rest is obedience,” he explained. “When we stop, even for one day, we are declaring that our lives are not held together by our efforts alone, but by God’s hand.”

For young people, Sabbath may look different. 21-year-old college student Ashley Thompson admits she struggles with slowing down. Between classes, assignments, and her part-time job, Sundays can easily become just another workday.

 “I used to study straight through Sunday,” she said. “But lately I have been trying to at least give myself the morning. I go to service, I eat lunch with my family, and I let myself breathe. Then I can go back to my schoolwork with a clearer head. It makes a huge difference.”

That intentional slowing down is what drew Clifford Johnson, a retiree, to embrace Sabbath after years of overlooking it. 

“When I was younger, I thought keeping busy was a sign of strength. I worked seven days a week sometimes,” he recalled. “Now that I’ve stepped back, I see how much I missed by never resting. Sabbath isn’t just about not working - it’s about enjoying God’s presence, enjoying family, even enjoying creation. At my age, I treasure that stillness, he said. 

Still, finding stillness is easier said than done. For many Bahamians, Sunday has gradually become crowded with errands, social gatherings, or preparation for the week ahead. 

Ruth Munroe believes reclaiming Sabbath begins with small, intentional steps. “It’s not about being legalistic. It’s about choosing rest, even in little ways. Maybe you put your phone away for a few hours. Maybe you take a walk instead of scrolling. The goal is to stop striving, to remember you’re more than your productivity.”

“When I was younger, I thought it meant you could not do anything fun or productive. But now I see it’s more about giving God space in your week. I can rest, I can laugh with friends, I can just be. That’s worship too.”