BE QUIET NOW AND REST
On Monday, May 5 I began a three-month sabbatical. It is a time for me to cease normal work, slow my life down to a crawl, be still, spend extended time in silence, and listen to the still small voice that too often is difficult to hear in the constant drone of everyday life.
Many asked how I felt as the sabbatical approached. My response has been twofold, “Tired and full.”
“Tired” in the best sense of the word. It’s a good, satisfying kind of tired. The kind you have after a long run. All you want to do is sit and rest, and you feel okay doing so because you know you ran hard.
“Full” because of the people of Denver Community Church who constantly display the heart of Jesus. The best part of being a part of this tribe is I get a front row seat to all the healing, love, grace, mercy and restoration happening in and through my brothers and sisters.
And now, after seven years, it is time to be quiet and rest. I will do no regular work. When it comes to an online presence, it’s safe to say I will be a bit of recluse. From time to time I will send an update to my brothers and sisters at Denver Community Church.
Other than that, I will spend my waking hours de-cluttering my soul and creating space in my head and heart. Over the next three months I will spend many days in solitude and silence. I will attend a few guided retreats and a three-day leadership intensive. As I process all this, I will meet regularly with a small group of friends, to help me think through all I will learn and hear.
My family and I will get away for an extended vacation, and simply enjoy each other away from the confines of home.
In addition to this, I will spend a lot of time reading books from several authors from Malcolm Gladwell to Eckhart Tolle to Kurt Vonnegut to Eugene Peterson. However, my biggest priority in reading is to read through the entire Bible during my time away.
And don’t forget about golf, hiking, camping and many evenings spent relaxing on my patio – which happens to be my favorite place in Denver.
My only request for all of you is that you would commit to pray for me during this time. I would ask that you would pray for centeredness, clarity, true rest, a supernatural ability to listen and, of course, laughter for my family and me during these months.
And now, I sign off – Peace be with you, my brothers and sisters.