Most staff would never take a sabbatical during August since it’s the busiest time of year on campus, but being the Director of Recruiting for the Southeast Region, it was the perfect time for me to do so.
After 23 years on staff, this was the first REAL sabbatical I’ve taken—which I’m embarrassed to admit now. I think this opportunity to refresh, rejuvenate, and recalibrate should be required and not optional. I mean, seriously, most staff who need to take this time won’t do so because they won’t pull away from ministry for 4 weeks…how would everything function without them?
This was the #1 lesson of my sabbatical: I’m expendable.
Guess what? So are you.
Life goes on and it can still work without ME. God’s like that. He uses us because He wants to - not because He “needs” to! This doesn’t feel good - it’s very humbling! It took me a good week or two to adjust to not really being “necessary.”
So this brings me to a hot-button topic: Day With The Lord. One of the things I’ve appreciated most about Cru over the years is the encouragement to schedule this every month. My friends with “real” jobs can’t believe I get to do this! What I hear often about this day is the statement: “I’ll take a half day with the Lord because I can’t lose a whole day…too much going on.” YIKES.
I just started reading one of those books that beats you up - in a good way! I want to pass along one of the punches - WARNING - stop now if you don’t want to be convicted!
“If we don’t think about God, pray to God, listen for God’s voice, and consciously serve God, by definition we live an ungodly life. We usually think of “ungodly” as being against God, but ungodly can also be a life that simply ignores God or - out of busyness, indifference, religiosity, or apathy - simply doesn’t tap into God. In this sense, it is possible to give an ungodly sermon that may be theologically accurate. It is possible to lead ungodly family devotions that nevertheless focus on spiritual truth. Christianity doesn’t address only the ends; it has a lively interest in the means . That’s why every healthy, growing believer should experience God every day - his presence, his power, his wisdom.” [Holy Available by Gary Thomas]
I’m guessing that you’re in the midst of tons of follow-up and recruiting for Fall Conference and just the busyness of the first month of school. I’m pretty sure it’s also time to take advantage of the gift we’ve been given in a Day with the Lord. Remember, God’s choosing to use you, He doesn’t really NEED you.
Need help for how to fill a day with the Lord? Have an incredible time fueling up with the only fuel that will truly keep you going!
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