Living The Sabbath By Norman Wirzba Analysis

In Living the Sabbath, Norman Wirzba discusses the numerous ways in which the developing world has begun to lose touch with God, our individual selves, and the importance of rest. Today’s world has no place for rest or reflection. The fast-paced society we live in is entirely focused on unrelenting economic gain and efficiency and has crafted a society in which people work abysmally long hours for little wages. Although this economic lifestyle has crafted a country of immense luxury, the people have been barred from enjoying the great gifts our society has to offer. There is no rest in this culture. Without rest, the person is unable to live a wholesome and dignified life. God invented the Sabbath so His people could flourish. Wirzba describes
the Sabbath, not as a “pulling back, but rather a deep sympathy, harmony, and celebration with all that was there,” so we as humans can appreciate all of God’s wonderful gifts (Wirzba, 33). Wirzba emphasizes our total lack of appreciation by discussing the current state of the food industry and the role it plays in our lives. The average person today sees food as yet another commodity “neatly packaged, at a relatively cheap price,” and has put little, to no thought towards the actual process associated with getting that food to the shelf (Wirzba, 25). Our society crafts obsession and removes gratitude and understanding. Taking rest is crucial not only for ourselves but for reasons of trust and dependence. Wirzba emphasizes the importance of being dependent in a culture that places heavy emphasis on independence. As creations of God, humans must restore their trust in God and know that God’s many gifts will continue to provide.