I did not preach for 8 weeks. I have never gone that long without preaching. That does not mean I did not witness to people, though. God gave me opportunities to share Christ with people, and I got to lead one man to the Lord! I did not write any devotions. Thanks to Bryant Forshee, Jeffrey Samplaski, and Daniel VanCleave for doing an excellent job in writing such inspiring devotions. I did not record any podcast episodes either. I recorded many in advance before starting my sabbatical so that one would be released each week. So, I really took time off! The staff at GHBC even took me off our staff texting thread and diverted all my emails so that I did not see them while I was gone!
I did, however, write one sermon. I just could not help it! I got so excited about this biblical text in Jude that I just had to take a couple of days and put on paper what God was showing me. My plan is to take some devotional space and share that message with you in written form. (I was honored to be able to preach the sermon yesterday at our home church, Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, TX.)
King David wrote the memorable 23rd Psalm, and you can feel the passion and emotion in it as he writes more from a shepherd's perspective than a king's. It is God who makes us lie down. God knows how important it is to rest, and if we will not take the rest voluntarily, He will eventually make us take it. Why? He knows we cannot indefinitely keep up the frenetic pace that so many are trying to keep. I see this especially in working moms and dads and also in many pastors and ministers of the Gospel. It is only a matter of time before we burn out if we do not find a new rhythm for life that includes times of rest and relaxation.
Some reading this devotion are not able to take extended weeks off for sabbaticals. (I believe it is simply a must for senior pastors to take sabbaticals, but I understand some are not able to do so, at least not right now.) If you are running on empty, emotionally fried, and burned to a crisp, please rest. Take some time off, get alone with God and your family. If you are in the ministry, I know that there is always something to do. You are more accessible than any other time in the history of the church. Because you care, you help and serve your people, and that is so very commendable... but you need a break every so often.
I have read some excellent books on this subject of rest, and if I had to recommend only one, it would be Robert Morris's book, Take the Day Off. Get it and apply his teaching to your life, especially the part about taking a sabbath every week, at least one day in the week where you do not work (unless it is an absolute emergency).
It is okay to chill, and I highly recommend it.
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