What Sabbath Means to Us: Student Reflections on Rest, Faith and Connection

Life moves quickly for students today. School assignments, sports, friendships and responsibilities can fill nearly every hour of the week. Yet many of these young writers describe the same moment of relief when Friday evening arrives. The pace slows. The noise quiets. The Sabbath begins.

For these students, Sabbath is more than a day without schoolwork. It's a pause that allows them to breathe, reconnect with God and spend meaningful time with family and friends. Through their essays, students in grades 7–12 from across the Northwest share how this weekly rhythm of rest renews their faith, restores their minds and reminds them that their worth is not measured by productivity but by God’s presence.

More than 100 students from six North Pacific Union Adventist schools responded to the invitation to write about what Sabbath rest means in their lives. We are proud of every young writer who participated. The following paragraphs feature 20 selected winning essays, with 10 additional honorable mentions. Whether Sabbath feels familiar or newly discovered, may you be blessed by this glimpse of Sabbath rest through young eyes.

Special Time With God

To me, Sabbath rest means spending special time with God and not doing ordinary work activities. Sabbath rest reminds me to take a break from everyday work and just have time with God that is personal. I think that taking that time on Sabbath to pause really helps me connect with God by being able to pray and read His Word more. I am glad that I honor the Sabbath day because it helps me to relax and see how amazing God really is for designating a specific day for us just to take time with Him. Resting on the Sabbath has helped me grow with God by giving that time to Him.

— Zachary Walker, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 7

A Moment of Rest

Sabbath means a time when we can have a moment of rest from all the work we have done during the week, we can talk to church members when going to church or have a better connection with a family member you barely talked to. For me, that’s Sabbath, but also it's a time to connect better with God and appreciate Him for all His blessings. If you are tired from all the work you have done during the week and you just want to tell someone something, go to Jesus and talk to Him. Jesus says in Matt. 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." If you are having difficulty and you want to rest, go to Jesus every Sabbath and talk to Him as a friend because He has given us that day to rest.

— Alan R. Santos-Perez, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 7

See the Beauty of God’s World

I believe that the Sabbath doesn’t only mean going to church and resting. I believe that it means doing whatever helps you see the beauty of God’s world and His people. For me, this is going out with my family and friends, walking in a park, driving through town, volunteering or listening to Christian music. God gave us the seventh day to rest, but what does rest help us to do? It helps us to be there for His people, do honorable things and take care of loved ones. Us resting on the Sabbath isn’t only helping us; it’s helping us help others and keep our covenant with God. We need the Sabbath to rest our minds, too, from things that happened at school, activities and relationships. If you take the day of rest to contemplate on things going on in your life, you will come back refreshed and rested.

— Kai Carter, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 7

The Value of Rest

Sabbath means a day that has been set aside by Christians to observe, commune with God and keep it holy. To rest means to take a break from an activity. Sabbath is rest, but rest is not Sabbath.

Sabbath is a religious activity and also a time of rest. That is why the Bible says in Exod. 20:8, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." God has instructed man in the Bible to work six days and rest on the seventh day, which is a day devoted to God alone, also called the Sabbath.

As a student, I usually take time off to have some rest when I am really tired. Not all resting times can be classified as Sabbath; it falls on Saturdays for the Adventist Church, and I hold that dearly because I am one.

— Miriam Amayimah, Northwest Christian School, Grade 7

Two Big Things

Can you imagine never having a day of rest? You wouldn’t be able to look forward to the Sabbath day, the day God specially set aside for all people to rest. You would work week after week without a day of rest and peace that God gave us. Unfortunately, this is how many people live. Those people might not realize how refreshing it feels to take a break from their stress. 

To me, Sabbath means two big things: avoiding any everyday work and to not only relax, but to glorify God while you are doing so. God knows what is best for us. He tells us that everybody — even animals — needs rest. That’s why He provides us with that rest that we physically and spiritually need.

— Rachel Kuzmich, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 7

A Breath of Fresh Air

Imagine you get home after a long, exhausting day, and you plunge into your nice, soft bed. The bed’s silk sheets envelop your body; you breathe, and it feels like the first breath you’ve had all day. This is what the Sabbath is like. As a student, the Sabbath is very important to me. Not only does it make me realize how much my God loves me, considering He set aside this day to be with me, but it also creates a breath of fresh air and one-on-one time with my Creator that I don't get to have throughout the week. The Sabbath can renew you like air in your lungs or like an ocean wave washing over you. So, when you wake up on a Saturday morning and consider everything you have to do, stop, take a breath and go spend some quality time with your Creator.

— Addyson Kugel, Lewis County Adventist School, Grade 8

Time With God

For me, the Sabbath day means more to me than before. I used to not fully believe in the Lord because I was in a dark place not long ago. This is my second year being a Christian, and it’s wonderful. God has shown Himself in more ways than one, and I don’t feel alone or left behind. To this day, I still have many situations where fear and doubt drown my faith, where it’s hard to breathe and I fall to the ground. But once I get even a few words or cry out to God, the fear and pain fade away. Through times when God works slower and doesn’t answer right away, I still feel Him working to help me. On Sabbath, I can just talk to God like a friend or a father, never being alone.

— Keira Givens, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 8

Balance

Life is all about balance — balanced diets, balanced relationships, balanced time. When life is unbalanced in any aspect, it can affect you by making you tired and stressed. Stress alone can have a domino effect for everything negative, such as sleep deprivation and others. God took this into account thousands of years ago and created the Sabbath for us. He knew proper structure and timelines are necessary for keeping life in order. Sometimes, in everyday life, you get overtaken with many to-dos and either complete your duties or push them forward. However, having a proper resting period gives us something to look forward to and keeps us balanced. Noting that we have a spiritual resting period to decompress can alleviate a jet load of stress. Being balanced spirituality is crucial for maintaining a healthy life. 

— Gabrielle B. Nazareth, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 8

A Much-Needed Breather

It doesn’t matter who you are, everyone can agree that we need to rest. People need to breathe, regain energy and take a break from activities from their everyday lives, if only for a single day. Sabbath is that day of rest for many people, including me. For me personally, I consider Sabbath to be a time to give all my burdens to God. Burdens can be the stress of schoolwork and extracurricular activities, or it can be money management and providing for your family. Either way, Sabbath gives you time to take a much-needed breather for 24 hours. Sabbath gives you a little time to give total focus to God, family and your mental well-being. Resting helps you process emotions and thoughts clearer than if you never took a break. Say goodbye to all the stress, and hello to Sabbath rest. 

— Jaycee Houghton, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 8

Connect With God

Have you ever had a day where you just want to stay at home and relax? I know I’ve had many of these days, especially when I have to wake up early for school. But, it’s amazing to know that there’s always one day I can look forward to at the end of the week. That day is Sabbath. Sabbath really helps me connect with God and to just take a day to enjoy Him and the beautiful world He created. This is amazing for me personally, because if you're like me, at the end of the week I just need to rest. God wants to be there for us no matter what, and I think that’s why He created the Sabbath. He just wants to connect with us and help us get a breather from the busy world we live in. That is what the Sabbath means to me.

— Analise Ransonet, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 8

The Finish Line

The Sabbath provides a deep breath at the end of a week that never seems to unwind. All week I am pulled in a hundred directions by school, responsibilities and expectations — as if I’m running a race with no finish line. Then the Sabbath arrives, and the pace of everything softens. The noise quiets, the pressure eases and I can finally rest. Sitting in church beside my family, singing hymns and listening to God’s Word fills me with a peace that settles over my heart, quieting the anxious thoughts I carry. Exod. 20:8 says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” and that holiness feels like stepping into a space where time itself seems to slow. It reminds me that my worth is not measured by grades or accomplishments but by God’s steady love. Each week, the Sabbath softens my heart and guides me back to what truly matters.

— Andrea Duncan, Gem State Adventist Academy, Grade 9

Flourish

The Sabbath arrives like a soft exhale at the end of a long week. The noise quiets. The rush loosens its grip. Time itself feels tender. When the candles glow and the world slows down, I feel peace and love growing in my heart: small, round, simple blessings, like seeds of gratitude scattered across the table. On Sabbath, I am reminded that goodness does not shout, it rests. It sits beside family and friends, lingers in shared bread, hums through familiar songs. There is peace in putting aside work, in letting the unfinished remain unfinished. The day is not good because it is productive, but because it is whole. I feel wrapped in something ancient and kind, a rhythm older than worry. The Sabbath teaches me that rest is holy, that love needs space to breathe and that my soul, like a garden, flourishes when given light, stillness and time.

— Grace Ineza, Gem State Adventist Academy, Grade 9

Homecoming

Now! Hurry! It is time! Go, go, go! The rush seems to never stop. Racing from task to task. Stop. Pause. The day of rest whispers my name. Life is suddenly much lighter. For the flowers spring themselves from the once barren land of my heart. Birds sing lullabies to my weary soul. Neighbors, once strangers in the fog of dark, dreary and distraught days, now offer a loving grin. Suddenly, it has all become clear. The moments and worries which once felt so important fade away. Restful life, once a foreigner to my eyes, is welcomed by a sweet tune. Today is a day of peace; doubt is not welcome here. My Savior truly knows better than me, for this day is my very own homecoming. 

— Brielle Kendall, Gem State Adventist Academy, Grade 9

Rest for a Reason

If the Creator of the universe didn’t think the world would be destroyed if He rested for a day, why should we think that our lives will crumble after a day of rest? School and its homework can really get to me sometimes, even on the one day I am supposed to be resting. Through my walk, I have realized that "tomorrow can worry about itself,” but is it really that easy? There’s no way it is that easy, because what if something bad happens, what if that happens or what if this happens? The reality is that you will always have questions, but don’t overthink them. God gave us a day of rest for a reason. Listen to God, not yourself.

— Kasey Patton, Lewis County Adventist School, Grade 10

A Beneficial Gift

The seventh day is the most important day of the week according to Sabbath keepers, but is this a valid claim? The seventh day, or Sabbath, or Shabbat in Hebrew means "to stop" or "to cease." There have been studies that provide good evidence that show resting on one day off of the week to rest — or the Sabbath — is a very beneficial thing to do — and it has benefited me as well. Sometimes I may say something along the lines of “I’m tired of school” or “I need to scrub all the wrinkles out of my brain,” but hear these simple words from Jesus: “The Sabbath was made for man” (Mark 2:27). This verse gives me and many others reassurance and reminder of how God designed the day of rest as a beneficial gift for human well-being, not as a burdensome rule. 

— David Sexsmith, Lewis County Adventist School, Grade 10

What Matters Most

Sabbath constitutes a time to clear my mind without feeling the guilt of putting something off. It’s taking a needed nap or enjoying nature, whether from my back porch or driving somewhere far away. It’s a time to pause, to create a break in the busyness and chaos of school. Even though I attend a Christian school, it can be easy to forget to spend time with God. Sabbath offers certain, dedicated time with Him once a week. Here at Gem State, Sabbath time feels extra special — effort from the students and staff creates an environment that encourages time to grow a relationship with God, as well as reconnect with the people close to me. I will always be grateful for the God-given time to take a break and focus on what matters most.

— Taylor Knauff, Gem State Adventist Academy, Grade 10

Where Worry Rests

Gen. 2:3 says, “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it, He rested.” The Sabbath is set apart as a sacred space for restoration. My life teems with school, music, student government, family, friends, events and trips, so true rest is rare, and I anticipate the rest that comes with the Sabbath. It is like the light at the end of the long tunnel. God created it for my benefit: a pause from pressure and performance. When I was young, the Sabbath was full of “can nots,” but now it is filled with “don’t have tos.” I don’t have to carry the worry or the weight of the week; I can lay down stress and step into stillness. I can share simple, sacred moments — meals with family, hikes with friends, quiet conversations with God — and allow myself to slow down, settle and simply rest. 

— Zach Duncan, Gem State Adventist Academy, Grade 11

Even the Cell Rests

Life begins with a single cell. This cell's main purpose is to reproduce and create life. This is its work. We all have work of some sort. In fact, the average human works about 40–46 years of their life. God created work, but He also created rest, an avenue to rejuvenate. When scientists first discovered the cell, they believed it was the tiniest thing man would ever find. Did you know that the cell even rests in reproduction? It's a step called “cell checkpoints.” This rest allows the cell to analyze for any malfunctions and unwanted mutations. How much more important is it for us to rest? God gave us the Sabbath to reflect like the cell. It allows us to become better people and work through our inner battles, especially for the overthinkers whose thoughts race constantly. Take a rest, worship God and be like the cell. 

— Allison Adams, Gem State Adventist Academy, Grade 11

The Power of Rest

Mirrored in the cycle of night and day, the Lord set a timing within us. Since creation, God rested upon the completion of His work. He hallowed the seventh day to refocus and receive peace. Through reflection, we strengthen our mindset for continuous growth the following week. The pause in the midst of constant movement grants us healing and restoration as we gain perspective. In releasing anxieties and attachments, we trust the process of the plan God has for us. In being still, we allow ourselves to receive the blessings God has for us to succeed. The Sabbath allows us the opportunity to connect with others as a whole to regain our energy. Every day, we should apply the Sabbath’s principles to detach from material fixations and focus on the larger mission. On Sabbath, God assures us we are kept from draining away while He guides toward fulfillment of our purposes.

— Grace Mirra, Gem State Adventist Academy, Grade 12

Seeing Clearly Again

Distortion drives the lack of true, deep rest — and without rest, how can you really see the world? The feeling of disconnection is a common occurrence, intensifying as the week drags on. Yet, on that final day, you can sit on the clouds once again, repairing that dizzying view as you meet the Sabbath.

The Sabbath serves as a day of rest. You can escape from the stressors of the dynamic world, recover from mental and physical soreness, and focus on what you love. With the abundance of benefits the Sabbath provides, it’s only natural that it’s of most importance. Despite this, people choose to encumber themselves with the burdens of life, robbing themselves of the relief their mind and body need.

If you choose to rest, you can finally see the world in its true form: beautiful, without a foggy glass distorting your view.

— Isaac Chaney, Gem State Adventist Academy, Grade 12

Honorable Mentions:

Take a Deep Breath and Pray

When I was 12 years old, I lost my grandma due to kidney failure. I’m not writing this for sympathy, but to explain how taking a deep breath and praying can help when the world hurts. After her death, I was unsure of the world. I was worried it was my fault and that I needed to be perfect so no one else would die. Finally, I decided to take a deep breath and pray. When I finally rested and gave myself space and alone time with God, I came to a big decision. A couple of Bible studies later, I gave myself to God and got baptized. As I went under the water that day, I thanked God for showing me the real reason for rest.

— Priscilla M. Sanders, Northwest Christian School, Grade 7

Sabbath is an Important Day of Rest

Sabbath is a very important day for many people, especially students. Having a day of rest is extremely important when you have a long week at school. If you don't take a break, you can become overworked and burnt out. Additionally, Sabbath is also a time to connect with God. When you don’t take a break, you won’t have much personal time to be with God. While taking a break from work, school or other things, it gives you time to really focus on God and your relationship with Him. Furthermore, you can ask God for guidance on things you may be struggling with. Maybe you’re having a hard time with a friend; you can take some time to ask Him for help on your day of rest. In conclusion, taking a break and focusing on God is very important. It can help you in many ways, spiritually and physically.

— Whitney Endress, Northwest Christian School, Grade 7

My Favorite Sabbath So Far

The Sabbath for me is always peaceful; it gives me time to regenerate my brain for the amount of days coming by until the next one. Things I do to represent or honor God that I think are fun are to walk, do Bible trivia, read the Bible and go to church. Last Sabbath, I went with my sisters to walk and help the kids learn to sing, and she showed what she does for work. When we got home, we did some board games, drawing and lots of other fun stuff, but the important thing that we did was close the Sabbath at the end of the day. We sang some songs and even shared testimonies, and that is how I spent my Sabbath. It was actually my favorite Sabbath so far. We got to see nature and how God created us and the beautiful animals and also His grand work us. But the Lord did not need rest; He gave us this day to glorify and honor Him from generation to generation. That is why we must keep the Sabbath and make it holy for just a thank you to God who created us and gave His son to die for us so we cannot fail to do such a fun thing.

— Alexandra Kwizera, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 7

One-on-One Time With God

Sabbath rest to me means having one-on-one time spent with God, either doing devotionals or just having a godly conversation with your friends and family. What my family usually does on Sabbath is we direct our talks with friends to topics about things that aren’t toward movies or our personal lives. We talk about our relationships with each other and spend time resting and recuperating from the week. When we take time to pause to rest and really think about things other than what we are going to do tomorrow, then we find that we come closer to God and our family. Gen. 2:3 says, “Then God blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy, because on it, He rested from all the work of creation that He had done.” This means that we should take time to rest just like God.

— Audrey Dawson, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 8

God's Recommendation

The Sabbath is a time of rest at the end of each week that God recommends for us. Some people might believe that God requires us to rest on the Sabbath, which, in my opinion, would characterize God as a God of force, not a loving God. As demonstrated by Jesus in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” This means that God highly recommends resting on the Sabbath, just like He recommends eating clean meat, having a healthy lifestyle and having a personal relationship with God. The Sabbath isn’t just about following a bunch of rules; it’s about resting so you can know God better. I’m not saying that following the Sabbath guidelines (not rules) is a bad thing; it’s just that we should prioritize having a close relationship with God first and guidelines second.

— Camden Rivinius, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 8

Very Important Day

The Sabbath is a time for students, parents, grandparents and all different people to take a break and not have to worry about other things. The Sabbath helps students balance school, activities and relationships because it gives them a chance to rest. Without a rest, people don't have a chance to just stop and take a break. They just keep going and going. The Sabbath day is a very important day that God has given us. Mat. 11:28 says, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” We need to thank God for this wonderful day of rest. 

— Corbin Pritchard, Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary, Grade 8

Taking Time to Pause

I’m not personally an Adventist myself, so I don’t have a designated Sabbath that I follow. However, I do go to a non-denominational church every Sunday morning, youth groups every Sunday and Friday evening, along with many other biblical activities. In that aspect, I do have a time of rest during those. I make sure to never let anything else get in the way of them, whether that be school, various activities and events, or just staying home relaxing. These help me grow my faith in God in many ways, obviously because I’m being taught about God, but also because of the community I’m around. It is so nice to be able to be around Christian people every day through school, church and youth groups that actually understand the biblical references I make. That is how taking time to pause helps me.

— Sky Prater, Lewis County Adventist School, Grade 9

Rest is Primary

The Sabbath is a day where rest is chosen as the primary assignment. A day that our God has set aside for us to lay down our worldly duties — to take a day to recover and be with Him. 

In a world and lifestyle where there is constantly something to be done, this day is something that we can hold onto. The Sabbath day is not meant to be a chore of following explicit rules; it is not meant to be a burden tasked on us by our family or church. It is a day that the Lord Himself has set aside for us. A rare time in our busy schedules to close our eyes, take a breath and remember that there is a divine power greater than ourselves. The Sabbath day is a blessing, a gift from God. One that we should treasure and respect in the ways we see best fit.

— Marissa Dickerson, Amazing Grace Academy, Grade 9

Peace and Tranquility

The peace and tranquility comes with stopping, slowing down, and turning my eyes upon my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pause from the stress and torment of studying for school and take time to relax and refresh. I truly enjoy going to church and spending time with my friends. My family typically enjoys a nice, long afternoon nap to refresh. This allows us to enter the next week with a fresh mind and a sharp mind. Personally, I can notice a large difference in my attitude and mental capacity before and after the Sabbath day. These are just a few reasons why I truly love the Sabbath rest and time spent with God.

— Levi McCulloh, Lewis County Adventist School, Grade 10

Saturday Sabbath Rest

Most Christians believe in the Sunday Sabbath — that we should take Sunday off and rest. I, however, believe that Saturday is the true Sabbath, that Sabbath was never changed to Sunday and it will always stay Saturday. I think taking off Saturday to celebrate the Sabbath off really makes a difference in your life. Gen. 2:2–3 says, “God rested on the Sabbath day, blessing it and making it holy.” God created it for us, so we should give our full attention to God on the Sabbath like a hawk watching its prey. On the Sabbath, I love to spend time in God’s creations, in nature and with my family. Resting on the Saturday Sabbath day, like God did, is a great way to take a break from the week and strengthen your relationship with the Creator.

— Luke Echelmeier, Gem State Adventist Academy, Grade 10

What does Sabbath rest mean to you? Consider who in your life might appreciate an invitation to experience the gift of Sabbath rest with you.