The Origin of Mindfulness

There's this conversation that's wrapping its way around the world - both in social media and publications is this concept of "mindfulness." And it has recently heightened: there used to be this idea that if we were self-sufficient, that we kept busy, kept stressing and pushing forward, that this emptiness wouldn't meet up with us. And so there's this counter cultural phenomenon that says "be present in the moment. Worry not for future things but accept where you are right now. Sit for five minutes in silence. Meditate. Stretch. Do yoga..." Whatever it may be. But we as Christians, we have something even more profound than this basic idea of mediation or mindfulness that lays root in Eastern religion. And in fact, it negates these teachings, and seeks to fill the minds that other teachings claim to empty. 

Mindfulness is not a new thing. It comes in tides, it ebbs and flows throughout society and throughout the culture and history. But ultimately, it began somewhere. 

It began right in the very beginning. In fact Christians, and I'd argue more particularly Seventh-Day Adventists, have something special. A day in which we're actually called to be mindful. To be in the present moment. To worry not about yesterday and tomorrow, but be present.

The difference here is the Sabbath. The Sabbath doesn't necessarily just give us rest, give us peace, give us time away from the stresses of the week - but brings us into something further, which is contact with our Creator. So it's not so much about being present, as it is about being in His presence.

And being in that presence allows us to connect. Connect with the Prince of Peace. Connect with the One that is mindful of us. (Job 7:17, Psalm 8:4)

And yet, we are so eager  to throw that away. Saturday becomes a day where we want to do things  that do not restore us spiritually: shopping, housework, partying - whatever it is that busies us. And sure - in our minds it's a way to relax or do something out of the ordinary. But God is calling us to something extraordinary. He we are on the Sabbath day - called to be caught up in His presence.

So next time you usher in the Sabbath on that Friday evening - acknowledge that this time - this twenty-four hour period, as soon as the sun gives way to the moon, was designated and designed for you. The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27), and we throw this idea around as if it is a way to get out of pure enjoyment of Sabbath. Yes of course, we don't want it to be restricting in a sense, but the Sabbath commandment was prefaced by the statement "I am the Lord your God that brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery..." (Exodus 20:1). Its context is freedom. Its command most truly a promise. Its purpose peace. Its Author yours also. 

Mindfulness of the one that is mindful of us - that sounds like a beautiful relationship to me.