Recreation vs. Amusement

Lately I’ve been studying Sabbath as I spend time at my unassuming Holy of Holies. I came across this gem of a quote and wanted to share it with my faithful readers:

Perhaps we can see the difference between God’s true rest and our “rest” by considering the difference between the words recreation and amusement. Embedded in the word roots for recreation and amusement are vastly different concepts. Recreation is the state of being re-created. It is something we do or choose that fills our soul and body so that we are stronger and richer as a result. Recreation nurtures us. Amusement, on the other hand, literally means “not to think.” When we choose amusement we shut down, we disengage. Even more pointed is the ancient meaning of amusement: “to deceive.” Could it be that we are deceived when we think that the answer to our weariness is amusement, not recreation? Life is not meant to alternate spasmodically between exhausting frenetic activity and mindless states where we have no energy for anything. We must learn to say no to relentless schedules and cultivate places in our lives for true recreation. Only we can make choices for what refurbishes our souls and our relationships.

You think about that.

Excerpt from: Choosing Rest by Sally Breedlove, Pg. 142.

4 comments / Add your comment below

  1. Thank you so much for sharing this! It makes me want to read the whole book. Would you recommend this book to others?

    Also, I’m curious what you do for RE-CREATion vs. AMUSEMENT. I think recreation takes more effort/planning. For example, going on a hike vs. turning on the t.v.

  2. Debbie, I did enjoy this book, I think that quote was the highlight for me. I would also recommend Mark Buchanan’s The Rest of God and Marva Dawn’s Keeping the Sabbath Wholly to dive into this idea of re-creation, Sabbath, and true rest. I am still marinating in this and will write more posts about what it looks like in my life! Thanks for asking!

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