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I was curious, I am a Seventh-Day Adventist and am struggling with the concept of working on Sabbath when your job, whether it be being a cop, firefighter, or someone else who is saving a life. The Bible is not always black and white and even though the Ten Commandments DO say to rest on the seventh day from all your labors, there are other instances in the Bible where helping others during time of rest are the right thing to do. What about those Nicu babies??? What about those who need constant care??? I would like input from a spiritual standpoint on how you all respect your Sabbaths and do it as a nurse.
Hmmm...good points... I had not thought of things that way. ....but in a "perfect" world, wouldn't there still be death from old age? And wouldn't it be important to take care of the dying? --And what about the minister who works (preaching) on the Sabbath?I enjoyed your thoughtful post, Poeboy, and was wowed by the Deuteronomy item... Compelling thoughts... I have also enjoyed writings from others on this thread. Interesting stuff.
Death and dying are part of life, again if you want to be a part of His healing ministry-do it for free on sabbath. Yes pastors, priests, bishops, popes, rabbi's, etc. do preach on sundays and saturdays and other days alike. Remember from your bible, the jewish and all the new converts all assembled on sabbath to hear the "torah" (law/scripture) being read. Even the Messiah would read and continue his ministry on sabbath, the difference between then and now is MONEY. In my opinion whatever is to be done on sabbath should never revolve around money. When Yeshua/jesus went into the congregation on a sabbath and saw the money changers, and all the other tables with items being sold for offerings- He overturned the tables and drove them out with a type of whip He hand made.
I look forward to all your thoughts and suggestions. I am never closed minded to shut out a good idea!!
(From the ESV.) Jesus kept the law perfectly, and healed this man's hand on the Sabbath.That said, if you want to be cautious about practicing employment, here are some thoughts.
1.) Weekday job, such as clinic or school nursing.
2.) Is it the same as Jewish Sabbath--sundown on Friday through sundown on Saturday? See if you could negotiate a Saturday-Sunday 8-hour noc shift weekend. So go in at 2300 on Saturday, well after sundown. Or if it's just Saturday period, then see about a Friday/Sunday weekend.
3.) More frequent Fridays and/or Sundays to offset being off on Saturdays. Again, something you'd need to ask about. Honestly I can't see most managers being eager to accommodate weekend requests even for religious reasons. There's no nursing shortage after all. But you could ask.
4.) Any Protestant/Catholic/Orthodox Christians really want every Sunday off? See about a permanent trade for your Saturdays.
5.) Do you need benefits? If not, per diem could be the way to go! Depending on the place, you can get pretty good hours...or you could get more than one per diem job to get your hours in. But typically you pick up the shifts that you want to pick up. The places I did per diem at did have a minimum weekend and holiday commitment, but in your case you could pick up 2 Sundays to equal one weekend. Hourly pay was extra to offset the lack of benefits given w/ these jobs.
It is just as the Jewish sunset to sunset sabbath.
Hmmm...good points... I had not thought of things that way. ....but in a "perfect" world, wouldn't there still be death from old age? And wouldn't it be important to take care of the dying? --And what about the minister who works (preaching) on the Sabbath?I enjoyed your thoughtful post, Poeboy, and was wowed by the Deuteronomy item... Compelling thoughts... I have also enjoyed writings from others on this thread. Interesting stuff.
From what I understand, if we lives in a perfect world there wouldn't be death. Death only came by the sins of Adam and Eve. Or they would not have KNOWN death. As for pastors, working for God and to act up praise Him is the idea of rest that God IMO is applying. He wants us to rest from our labors of the world and save the time He even set for Himself for us to all rest and admire His work.
Institute for Christian TeachingEducation Department of Seventh-day Adventist
TEACHING STUDENT NURSES SABBATH KEEPING
By Ina Longway
Adventist International Institute Of Advanced Studies
Bangkok, Thailand
Prepared for the Faith and Learning Seminar Held in Singapore
August, 1989
054-89 Institute for Christian Teaching
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904, USA
your answer was so uplifting and informative. THANK YOU and GOD BLESS!!!
What does Jesus say? What did He do? We can get so bogged down to legalism in our faith, and I don't think that's what God intends. Yes, it would have been nice to have the Sabbath off (for me, it is Sunday) when I was a hospital based nurse. But, babies were still being born, mothers still needed care, people still get sick, and it wasn't fair for me to ask every Sunday off. So, my boss allowed me to come in on Sunday evenings or nights when I needed to work a Sunday. I'm sure you'll find a good solution. He'll show you how best to honor Him in your work.
I am a SDA and to expect others to work on the Sabbath on essential work, but not us,is hypocritical. The Sabbath is God's not ours. This reminds me of Orthodox Jews who hire people to light their fires and turn on their lights on Sabbath. And as we have the largest Protestant health care system in the world, to think none of us work on the Sabbath seems pretty unlikely.
Dear Sister in Christ. I was in the middle of a night shift and a little grumpy. I have been a church member since 1975 and understand your concern. But the best place for you to discuss this, I feel is with people who share your belief. Not this nursing forum. They are well meaning, most of them, but don't understand this issue. It is unique in this world. We have a very high number of health care professionals and you should be able to get many views. What it really comes down to is a matter between you and God. But how would you want your loved one cared for, a full staff or a skeleton one because everyone wants the Sabbath off.
Although I am not a bible scholar, I grew up with a religious background. Many of my family members are involved in the church. I myself, attend church when I am able. I am also involved in a bible study group. However, I don't have a problem working my fair share of Sundays, because it is necessary. I knew when I went into healthcare, that it would be required of me to do so. Many professions are required to work on Sundays. Even if you have the "day off", you are still working in some capacity. Cooking dinner, washing dishes, laundry, childcare, and walking the dog, are all forms of work. Life doesn't stop just because it is Sunday. And these are all necessary things to do.
I don't use religion as an excuse not to work on Sundays. For me personally, it would seem hypocritical. I eat pork products and lobster. I don't live in a menstrual hut for a week every month. There are probably many other bible teachings that I don't adhere to, but I was just trying to make a point. I don't pick and choose which teachings I want to abide by, just because it's beneficial to me.
Probably a bit of a delayed response but the SDA church believes what is stated in the bible that it is "good to do good on the Sabbath". Therefore this sda nurse only ask for sabbaths off if there is something special she needs to attend - otherwise, sabbaths are taken off as given in the rota. Never mind working a sabbath because this is a part of her mission for The Lord - helping the needy. Now where working on the sabbath becomes a problem is when you are given off on the sabbath and you go in search of extra shifts for the money. This I believe is no more about the sick client but the staff making more money. Just my 2 pence worth :)
Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN
1 Article; 631 Posts
Institute for Christian Teaching
Education Department of Seventh-day Adventist
TEACHING STUDENT NURSES SABBATH KEEPING
By Ina Longway
Adventist International Institute Of Advanced Studies
Bangkok, Thailand
Prepared for the Faith and Learning Seminar Held in Singapore
August, 1989
054-89 Institute for Christian Teaching
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904, USA
TEACHING STUDENT NURSES SABBATH KEEPING