Ready…set…rest. That’s the plan, anyway. May 11 marks the beginning of my twelve-week sabbatical. So, I’m going to do my best to step out of my current rhythm of work and into a new rhythm to refresh my soul.
This past Sunday, I had several people tell me how excited they are for me and amazed that I’m able to receive such a blessing of getting away for so long. And they’re right. It is a blessing. It is a gift that I intend to use wisely, humbly, and with deep gratitude.
Here’s a snapshot of what my summer sabbatical will include—three distinct segments, each separated by a week or two of unstructured “downtime.” It begins with a 2,600-mile motorcycle pilgrimage through the southern states, stopping at monasteries along the way for spiritual retreat. Second, a hiking excursion in Peru, where Laura and I will explore the central region, including Machu Picchu. And lastly, we’ll slow things down with an Alaskan cruise—a chance to rest, read, and ready our hearts for the next season of ministry at E91.
I don’t take this blessing lightly. We are to steward every resource in our possession with integrity and to the glory of God. That includes our time, talents, treasure, and testimony. “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).
I recognize that many people never receive this type of gift, and it’s given me pause to think about how we can incorporate sabbatical practices in normal-day life. What are sabbatical practices? Rest. Reflection. Joy. Healthy rhythms. Taking care of our bodies, minds, and souls.
Sabbatical should not be a break in our normal routines to jump into unhealthy patterns, simply because we don’t have the enforced rhythm of work. The practice of sabbatical should be a re-ordering of our lives to refresh the soul. Sabbatical is similar to the need to periodically turn off your computer in order for it to reboot and run more efficiently.
But what about those who don’t have the luxury of sabbatical? Well, God has provided an answer to this in the weekly rhythm of sabbath. What is done over an extended period in sabbatical is done in a 24-hour period of sabbath.
A weekly sabbath is a weekly rebooting of our souls. We cease from work, rest our minds and bodies, and celebrate with family and friends. Even Jesus encouraged His disciples to “come away to a quiet place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). This wasn’t a sabbatical, but it was a sabbath, that is a sabbath rest: a brief period set aside for a prolonged period of health.
The Bible encourages us not to despise “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10). Sabbath is a small thing, but it has a big impact. My encouragement to you is to apply the principles of sabbatical rest in a weekly rhythm of sabbath rest. Discover the newfound freedom born from sabbath that awakens your heart to a daily rhythm of grace.
I appreciate your prayers as Laura and I embark on our sabbatical, and I look forward to jumping back in with my blogs in August!
