By Joel Warren
Fall is here. Bring on the 58 degree mornings and pumpkins on porches. Order up the $7 cup of pumpkin spice Frappuccino latte venti mocha (can you tell I don’t go to Starbucks)?
Fall is my favorite time of year. However, it is also one of the most crucial seasons, for it’s when I overcommit myself and try to please everyone. I sign up for events and begin new initiatives regarding ministry. These tasks are good in and of themselves, but often leave me stressed and frustrated (and leave others stressed and frustrated I might add). I’ve learned this about me, and I’m grateful that in my old age I can use wisdom and discernment when it comes to my schedule.
For a long time I have wanted to get away. I have wanted to take some personal time to be alone. I have never done this, and the idea of it seems overwhelming. I am one to always have Alexa pumping out my favorite Ben Rector song. I can’t handle silence. Til today. I came to a remote place and rented a camper. No WiFi or tv. Only a campfire and the sounds of birds singing. I love it.
When is the last time you paused and took a deep breath? Schedule time to be still and contemplate the Lord and His goodness.
I’ll leave you with a few verses from scripture which call us to sabbath. To rest. To recharge.
Exodus 20:8-11 MSG
Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don’t do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.
Jeremiah 17:22 MSG
Don't use the Sabbath to do business as usual. Keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your ancestors.
Leviticus 19:30 MSG
Keep my Sabbaths and revere my Sanctuary: I am God.
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