"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception." Proverbs 14:8
I am a firm believer that life's busyness actively militates against anyone giving thought to their ways. From demanding jobs to demanding recreation, it is hard to find time to think. And when there is time, the ceaseless noise of television, cell phones and the internet make it hard to hear yourself think. With what result? Instead of reaping the benefits of giving thought to our ways, we more often reap the folly of "the unexamined life." But as followers of Christ, time to give thought to our ways is something we neglect to our peril.
To a significant extent, it was the reality of this truth that helped Debbie and I see our need for a sabbatical. However, I do not think we understood just how great this need was until the third week of my sabbatical. For it was in this third week that we began our time at Genesee Home.
Genesee Home is named for the Genesee Valley in Northern California in which it is located. It is a beautiful Victorian home on a sprawling ranch surrounded by rocky mountains, subdivided by beautiful streams and teeming with wildlife. However, what makes this place truly unique is that every aspect of this five night retreat is geared toward enabling us, as a ministry couple, to give thought to our ways. There is no cell service, no television, no web access and no clocks, which helped us to hear ourselves think.
Instead of busy activities, we found ourselves in a place with no clocks, but with hours and hours every day for spiritual reading, prayer and contemplation. We drew great encouragement, as well, from meal time Bible teaching and meaningful fellowship with other ministry couples which culminated in a rich, spontaneous time of Pentecostal, Baptist, Foursquare, Evangelical Free, Reformed and non-denominational Bible Church worship. This is not to mention the time we had for marital enrichment including talks, walks, biking, and even a harrowing canoe trip. And all of this was planned out with great purpose by our gracious hosts, Charley and Bev, to provide us with a unique opportunity to give thought to our ways.
Honestly, when I scheduled this time at Genesee Home, I had no idea just how meaningful it would be. And I gave little thought to it's placement toward the beginning of my sabbatical. But God knew. God knew not only that I needed to be taught about what sabbath rest really is, but that I needed this early on to guide the rest of my sabbatical time.
On this, the last night at Genesee home, I cannot help but feel that I leave this place with such a different perspective on life. I sense that the importance of sabbath has gotten into my blood. And I have to believe that sabbath will become a more significant part of my daily experience even after I return to life and ministry.
What does that mean? In part, being more diligent to set apart time each and every day to "rest" in God's presence. As is true of all of us who seek to follow Christ, so is true of me as a pastor--it is so easy to allow that set-apart time with God each day to be squeezed by life's busyness. However, in addition to safeguarding that time, I also recognize the need to make sure my mindset is in the right place when I spend time alone in His presence. More than just getting through my personal devotions and Bible study time, I need to do a better job of examining my life in light of His Word--to give greater thought to my ways.
This new perspective on sabbath has also impacted my understanding of the weekly gathering of God's people for worship. I have felt challenged to be more thoughtful about the way I spend Sunday morning, especially in terms of seeing this time not as a series of tasks to be accomplished, but as an opportunity to be refreshed in Christ together with His people.
I am grateful to God not only for His working through the body at Renton Bible to provide this time of sabbatical, but for His providential leading to make this such a profitable time in our lives. Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!