You work until the work is done, right? Common sense! Yet this is where the Protestant Work Ethic crashes into the ancient Judeo-Christian understanding of sabbath. Wayne Muller, author of the very recommendable Sabbath, reminds us that sabbath means stopping not when the work is done, but when it’s time to stop. That radical notion is so important that it’s one of the ten commandments! What a gracious gift from God!
That doesn’t mean it’s an easy gift to accept, especially when the job is never done. Has a teacher every fully educated his students? Has a doctor ever healed all her patients? The work of ministry is never done, either, so it’s a wise and gracious church that provides sabbatical for its ministers. I am beyond grateful for the generous sabbatical you have given me! You not only offered it, you did so with generous, well-wishing hearts and by continuing the work in my absence. Thank you!
My first days away were devoted to my health, and I’m feeling so much better! It makes me wonder whether you you might be neglecting your health, too… Next came my daughter’s wedding, but all of our plans were blown away by the hurricane the very week of the ceremony! Friends and family rushed in to save the day and give them a beautiful wedding, but… it makes me wonder if you might be neglecting relationships you need to nurture…
October brought a wonderful continuing education conference, time to read and write and make new professional connections. Then I spent the last two weeks getting my house in order. Are you taking time to “sharpen the saw” and organize your life around your goals?
I returned to a wonderful welcome, but also waiting for me were all my old bad work/life habits. That reminded me of Celeste Headlee’s memorable admission in her book Do Nothing, “It was not my circumstances that caused my stress but my habits.” Whew! Can you relate?
Let’s talk about this sometime soon. God wants better for us than we are ready to accept!
Gratefully,
Kyle Matthews,
Minister of Pastoral Care