Looking Back, Looking Forward

My summer sabbatical has come to an end. Tomorrow I will return to full-time ministry. I few weeks ago I was visiting with my friend Jerry and he asked, “Are you going to miss the quiet of this summer or are you excited to get back to work?” My answer was an emphatic “Yes!”

The sabbatical that I have journeyed through these past three month has been a precious gift that will always be cherished. It has provided me with a time to slow down the pace of life. A time to rest. A time to regroup. A time to be with family. A time to do things that fill me up. A time to rediscover the lost art of play. A time to be with Jesus in a very special way.

I took unhurried time each morning to read through the gospels and see how Jesus – the busiest, most giving Man that ever lived – built margin into His life so He could keep going strong. Jesus consistently found strength for the journey through a healthy lifestyle – He got His sleep, ate nutritious food, and engaged in vigorous exercise. He surrounded Himself with close friends. He took time to get away from it all. He opened Himself to the ministry of angels. And Jesus spent time with His Father every single morning meditating on the Scriptures and praying.

I took time to be with my family. Linda and I have been fireproofed and laughed our way to a better marriage. We have enjoyed date nights, watched movies, and eaten gelato together. We have gotten together with our adult children for two trips. We have visited our parents and siblings.

This summer I took some important time to sharpen the saw. I took some classes in digital photography, communications, reading dynamics, and homiletics. I read a pile of books – 14 at last count – books on pastoral health, biblical studies, ministry, and even some biographies.

I took some day trips – I went to the beach, went hiking and dirt biking in the hills, went sailing in the San Francisco bay, and took in the Musee d’Orsay Birth of Impressionism exhibit at the deYoung, I even had time to get my yard cleaned up and do a little cooking in the kitchen.

I was able to get some long-neglected office projects knocked out. I cleaned up 25 years of computer files. I got my church member’s phone numbers entered into my cell phone. My first sermon back is written and I have a good stab at the second. My office at the church is finally decorated.

The results? I am rested. My sleep patterns have improved significantly. My calling is renewed. My marriage and family is having more fun. I am better acquainted with the fun places to go and fun things to do in my area. I’m better equipped to do life and ministry at a sustainable pace. I’m more in love with Jesus than ever before.

Some things are going to change. I’m going to be more intentional about slowing the pace of life and ministry, and make it a point to just enjoy the journey. I’m going to simplify life and ministry by focusing on that which is most essential and by better delegating more of the detail work to other – after all, we are a team. I will better walk with my churches. And I’m going to more clearly keep my eyes on Jesus – the Head of the church, remember that He is not only the Source of my calling – He is the wind beneath my wings that will carry my life and ministry to a higher place.