Sabbath as a Countercultural Movement

In a world that glorifies hustle, where success is often defined by how busy we are or how many hours we clock in, the idea of taking a full day to rest can feel not just outdated, but even irresponsible. Yet God commands it. And one modern company has taken this command seriously: Chick-fil-A.

From the very beginning, Chick-fil-A’s founder, Truett Cathy, made a bold decision—to close every restaurant on Sundays. This wasn't just a quirky policy in the fast-paced food industry, where weekends are peak revenue days. It was a declaration of trust. Cathy believed honouring the Sabbath was essential for worship, rest, and putting God first. And decades later, the company’s continued success stands as a witness that God’s ways are still wise.

The Sabbath was never meant to be just a day off. In Exodus 20, God gives it as a gift and a command. After rescuing His people from slavery in Egypt, where their worth was defined by how much they produced, God redefined their identity. They were no longer slaves. They were free. And Sabbath was a sign of that freedom—a declaration that their value wasn’t tied to work but their relationship with Him.

Theologian Walter Brueggemann called Sabbath “resistance to the anxiety of our culture.” Sabbath pushes back against the lie that we must always produce to be valuable. It’s a holy rhythm of trust, believing that the world keeps turning even when we stop striving.

Chick-fil-A’s commitment to rest has made people take notice. In a 24/7 economy, their closed doors on Sundays stand out. But the outcome? High employee morale, customer respect, and financial success that defies logic. Why? Because Sabbath isn’t just a nice tradition—it’s a Kingdom principle. And when we live by Kingdom values, the results speak for themselves.

You may not run a business, but you do make choices about how you spend your time. Honouring the Sabbath in your own life might look like turning off notifications, not checking email on your day off, spending time with loved ones, or simply slowing down to enjoy God’s presence. Sabbath isn’t just about stopping work—it’s about realigning your heart with the One who provides.

When you keep the Sabbath, you declare:

• God is in control—even when I step away.
• My worth isn’t defined by output.
• Rest is not a reward—it’s part of God’s design.

In a culture that never stops, Sabbath is radical. It’s also deeply healing. And your commitment to rest can quietly testify that you serve a different kind of King—one who gives rest to the weary and grace to the driven.

So, ask yourself: What would it look like to Sabbath well this week? And what might God want to restore in you as you rest in Him?

Prayer
God of rest, thank You for modelling a rhythm of work and rest. Help me resist the temptation to find my identity in busyness. Teach me to trust You enough to stop, rest, and worship. May my Sabbath be a quiet but powerful testimony that You are my Provider and my Peace. Amen.

If this series of workplace devotions has blessed you, you might like to get a copy of the book from which these devotional studies have been adapted. You may get the book from Amazon.in: Dear God…Welcome to my Work: Bringing God’s Kingdom into our Workplacesby Paul Balasundaram.