BLOG: The Blessing of Sabboth
Hey 180 Parents,
I just want to thank you all for what you do. I know that most of you have full schedules and on top of that you make 180 a priority for the students and for that I cannot thank you enough. I have been challenged recently by the Lord's command to Sabboth one day a week in order to rest and recharge. I thought you all might enjoy this article (below), even though it is geared towards full time youth ministers I am sure it will speak to many of you with busy lives. I know the "Sabboth Moments" were a great reminder for me to stop for 5-20 minutes every once in a while in order reconnect with the God of the Universe who I am doing all this for.Have a great weekend and Sabboth!Rusty| Days Off: A Response | |||||||
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Sabbath. It’s a wonderfully biblical, churchy word for ‘take-a-load-off-before-you-implode!’ Our souls need respite. Our Spirit cries out for rejuvenation. And, yet, Sabbath days just seem hard to come by. Whether it’s the subtle deception from the enemy that I’m ‘being lazy’ or the long list of ‘non-ministry’ things that need to be done in the wake of doing ministry without a Sabbath – I have a really difficult time unplugging for an entire day. (Not denying its importance or the command of Scripture – just being honest.)It never fails. When I finally DO achieve a true Sabbath day, within the next 48 hours I’ve lived six years of ministry and walked a million roads of hot coals and broken glass. Right back I go to the life I’ve come to recognize as most familiar….. I am learning that Sabbath, although commanded for one day each week, is not JUST for that day….kind of like orange juice and breakfast. I am learning to appreciate and revel in Sabbath moments. Taking the long way to work (which entails all of an additional five minutes) because it allows me to drive along the beach. Stealthily making my way to the student center merely to sit in solitary confinement for twenty minutes. Coming home an hour early so I can cook something for the family because I WANT to, not because I have to. Finding Sabbath moments has simply come to mean, in my life, recognizing my tank-filling activities and embracing them without guilt. I can find five minutes for a little extra drive time. I can embrace uninterrupted peace and quiet in the student center for twenty minutes (as long as it is devoid of students!). I can occasionally slip out of the office an hour early for a little ‘Iron Chef’ time! But Sabbath moments can’t replace a true Sabbath day of rest in our lives. Sabbath days are deep, abiding, dedicated hours. We were reminded yesterday that Sabbath days are a true gift to us from God. Sabbath moments are more like a Hallmark card. The right word at the right time – a commercial that would be laughable if it weren’t so timely and heart-melting – a smaller investment in achieving the same sentiment. I have five Sabbath ‘moments’….they vary in length from five minutes to half a day. To make effective use of them, I had to identify them. What are yours? Enjoy them. (And take a day off, too!) - Darren Sutton |
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