Today is my day off. It is my Sabbath. The time where I reconnect with my soul and focus my attention on another aspect of my life. I turn to projects that must be put on hold each week, as I must direct my attention on my duties as a pastor. I am not complaining, just stating a fact. My amazing congregation is an incredible force of nature. The dedication of the community is a sight to behold, and I find myself giving thanks to God for the mighty men and women who worship at Rio Rancho United Methodist Church. I am a blessed man.
With that said, time to renew my spirit is crucial to my being a good pastor. Without little moments to direct my attention to hobbies and projects that give me an extra boost, I would most likely burn out. Spirits must be renewed, and souls must be fed. This is the food with which we continue the journey.
It is necessary and directly communicated by God that we take the time to refresh our souls. Sabbath is not something that is to be taken lightly, but we intentionally rest and focus our attention on those things about which we are passionate. Holy rest is God’s gift to us, as we remember that during special moments of renewal, we turn back to the Creator. As we are focused on other things, the nooma (the breath) of God gives us strength and courage to face what lies ahead.
Today I am grateful for my time of rest as I had the opportunity to reconnect with both of my stinky boys. Caeleb was not in school today, so he and I went to Santa Fe and had lunch with Julian. As all three of us were being our strange selves, I silently lifted a prayer to God, thanking the Creator for sacred moments with my boys. They are holy and set apart, for they give me incredible power and joy. Being made new in spirit, I may return with a full heart that leads others to the amazing love of God. Praise be to the One, who created us!
From a Pastor's Point of View 