Rest, Recharge, and Renew

 

As I transition back to full time ministry after a three month Sabbatical, I am concerned with how individuals and families spend their time.

The first three weeks of my Sabbatical, all I wanted to do was sleep. At first I was surprised at how tired I was. And then I realized that I had been going non-stop for seven-and-a-half years (three years of seminary and five-and-a-half years of full time ministry).  I was literally running on fumes.  I hadn’t realized how desperately I needed rest.  The days and weeks I spent at home opened my eyes to how badly my teenaged sons needed rest too. This nonstop lifestyle was exhausting us all.

Daily we plugged in, attending work and school, participating in sports and other activities, constantly checking our snap chats messages and watching tick tock videos. We have filled every second of our lives with in person and online connections, but less so with connecting to the divine. We wonder why there are so many struggles in our culture with violence, mental health, bullying, addiction, isms, etc., but we fail to recognize how disconnected we are to our own humanity and therefore to the One who created us.   

What does a more balanced life look like? As I think about the vacations many people take these days such as amusement parks, all inclusive drinking trips, cruises, etc., most of these don’t leave us feeling refreshed, balanced and renewed. They are fun and give us time away, but we still feel drained and disconnected when we return.

My time of Sabbatical focused on spiritual practices that helped me spiritually reconnect with God, instead of intellectually know of God. I experienced silence, contemplation, solitude, meditation, yoga, breath work, journaling, time in nature, and labyrinth walks.  When I connect with the Divine, it helps me to answer the ultimate question of, what is my purpose and where am I called? To feel in control, safe, and guided provides the resilience we need to thrive in this culture. Healing for our mind, body and spirit can be found in dedication to spiritual practices in our everyday lives and in times of Sabbath rest.

As I continue in ministry, I am called to teach more spiritual practices and to lead retreats for time away dedicated to renewal of body, mind, and spirit. A shift in daily habits and commitment to creating a more balanced life will be a challenging lifestyle change for many.  However, the healing ministry of Jesus must continue to help create a more peaceful and just world for all. Are you in need of healing?