Sabbatical

During the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the LORD’s Sabbath. Do not plant your fields or prune your vineyards during that year.

ISRAEL WAS COMMANDED by God to take a Sabbath rest every seven years. Instead of planting and harvesting, the people were to spend the year in rest, reflection, and restoration.

A Sabbath break can be welcome time off to rest physically, emotionally, and socially. By setting aside time that would have been filled by the regular ebb and flow of our daily routines, we can replenish our lives.

Professors often take a semester off to travel or do research. A few fortunate pastors have churches that invest in sabbaticals so they will gain more to give.

After my father passed away, I took a minisabbatical from my ministry responsibilities for several months because I needed time to process my grief and handle other responsibilities with my family. Some of my friends in leadership have planned extended times of rest during career transitions. Some families have built periods of rest and replenishment into their lives yearly, setting up summers off or at least working part-time and planning a change of location: cabins by the lake, a few weeks at summer camp, or a month in the country.

If you are feeling worn out, get out your calendar and budget, and figure out how you can take time for rest and relaxation. However, a true sabbatical isn’t just a vacation; rather, it is a plan for restoration and replenishment.

Worship, study in the Word, time with positive people, and quiet moments of reflection, contemplation, and prayer should all be included. A sabbatical isn’t dropping out of life; rather, it is dropping into God’s presence so you can gain a better, stronger view of your life. By taking time to care for yourself both physically and spiritually, you will feel stronger for the journey ahead.