Resistance and Sabbath

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly being bombarded with ads telling you to buy more stuff to be happy and successful? It can be overwhelming, right? We often hear that in order to be successful, we have to work hard and constantly strive for more. Advertisements everywhere try to convince us that we need to buy certain products to be happy.

But these ideas of what makes a fulfilling life are not based on reality—rather they are manufactured by companies trying to sell us things. Don’t let them fool you into thinking that material possessions are the key to happiness. But how do we resist the constant pressure to consume and buy more things? The Sabbath provides a solution.

The truth is that consumerism can lead people to believe that their value is determined by what they own, rather than who they are as individuals. This can create a culture of materialism, where people prioritise acquiring possessions over building meaningful relationships or pursuing personal growth. Despite the promise of consumerism to fulfil our desires and make us happy, the pursuit of material possessions often leads to feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction. This is because material possessions alone cannot provide the deep sense of meaning and purpose that we all crave as human beings.

Consumerism can contribute to a sense of disconnection from community and a focus on individual needs and desires. This can erode the social fabric of society and make it more difficult to create meaningful connections with others.

Constantly reaching into our wallets to buy the latest “must-have” items can also harm our finances. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying new things, but it can quickly add up and lead to overspending, causing financial insecurity and stress.

On top of that, our love for buying new things and throwing away old ones can harm our planet. When we constantly consume and dispose of products, we create more waste that can take up space and damage the environment. Additionally, the production of goods can pollute our air, water and land, which can harm the health of our planet and its inhabitants. Climate change is a growing concern, and our constant pursuit of new products can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which are detrimental to our environment.

Fortunately, there’s a way to resist the constant pressure to consume and buy more things—it’s all about taking a break on the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a special day of rest and rejuvenation that can help us prioritise what’s truly important in life and give us a break from the endless cycle of consumerism. It’s a time to celebrate the things that are beautiful and sacred in life, like singing, sharing stories, eating together and worshipping. By doing these things we give ourselves and others permission to live by a different set of values—where the goal is not to have more, but to be more.

By setting aside time to relax, spend time with loved ones and reflect on our values, we can find a sense of fulfilment that doesn’t rely on buying more stuff.  By doing so, we can imagine a world that is based on compassion, cooperation and sharing, rather than domination and control. We can live more meaningful and sustainable lives. On the Sabbath we remember that time is more important than money.

So why not give it a try? Take a break from the pressure to constantly consume and buy stuff and reconnect with the things that truly matter on the Sabbath.

Live Webinar: Disconnect from the world

Dr Brendan Pratt

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We’re all trying to do more, work harder and be more productive—but it’s important to disconnect from the madness. Taking time out for yourself is essential for both physical and mental health, yet many of us have difficulty doing so because of our demanding schedules. That’s where the Sabbath comes in—it’s a day of rest that lets us disconnect from work and other responsibilities so that we can focus on other important aspects of our lives.

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