When I decided to answer the call to ministry, I did not imagine all the tasks that would be required of me each week. Truth be known, living in a culture where busyness and activeness indicates a sign of success is only part of the problem. How a pastor views time and work is another issue. I will carve out time, any time, during the day to help others with their relationship to God by sacrificing time from my spiritual growth. So, at times, my growth suffers…
Returning to my room from an evening of pizza and a movie (we watched Whale Rider) with my cohort (LSF4 @ Portland Seminary), my every intention was to study and rewrite my notes. Instead, I had the rare opportunity of watching TV - my binge fest lasted until 3:30 am. It was never my intention to skip church services. I woke up late and missed the 9:00 am services at Cannon Beach Community Church. I vaguely remember turning off my alarm. An hour later, after realizing how late it was, I thought to myself, “Today would be a great day to sleep in; I never get a chance to rest on or have a Sabbath.” As I lay there in a beautiful, warm, fluffy bed with pillows tucked in all around me, I felt disappointed.
My Rhythm of Life popped into my head. There are three vital behaviors I choose to work on this year, I could visibly see the first in my mind: Start each day praising God: morning devotion and prayer.
How can I start the day praising God when I put myself first?
That got me up. I headed to the desk in my room and grabbed my Journal and started writing. I believe all days are holy, not just any one day I pick to be holy…
Now, I have this day (or morning) without any ministry obligations, how could I have forgotten myself so easily? Sitting at my desk, I pondered, “How can I look at the Sabbath or Sundays (on days off) differently?”
I remembered David Robinson writing in Ancient Paths, “Formation is not one single activity but a multifaceted work involving many types of spiritual tools.”[1] Then an article by MaryKate Morris popped into my head.[2] In this article, MaryKate explains how she restores order to her soul with the simple task of tidying.
Spiritual Practice of Sabbath Preparation
Every person has the potential of creating a spiritual practice through the ordinary tasks of daily life. Why not use my prep for sabbath as a discipline? Cool!
I laid out my clothes prayed thanksgiving over a suit to wear. Grabbing my shoes, I remembered packing my shoe polish, while polishing, prayed for a safe walk.
Finished dressing and started a prayer walk, passing the beach on the way. What a genuinely pleasant stroll to church.
[1] Robinson, David. Ancient Paths: Discover Christian Formation the Benedictine Way. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2010. (23)
[2] Morse, MaryKate. Missio Alliance. February 27, 2019. https://www.missioalliance.org/a-surprisingly-simple-spiritual-discipline-for-restoring-the-soul/.
Returning to my room from an evening of pizza and a movie (we watched Whale Rider) with my cohort (LSF4 @ Portland Seminary), my every intention was to study and rewrite my notes. Instead, I had the rare opportunity of watching TV - my binge fest lasted until 3:30 am. It was never my intention to skip church services. I woke up late and missed the 9:00 am services at Cannon Beach Community Church. I vaguely remember turning off my alarm. An hour later, after realizing how late it was, I thought to myself, “Today would be a great day to sleep in; I never get a chance to rest on or have a Sabbath.” As I lay there in a beautiful, warm, fluffy bed with pillows tucked in all around me, I felt disappointed.
My Rhythm of Life popped into my head. There are three vital behaviors I choose to work on this year, I could visibly see the first in my mind: Start each day praising God: morning devotion and prayer.
How can I start the day praising God when I put myself first?
That got me up. I headed to the desk in my room and grabbed my Journal and started writing. I believe all days are holy, not just any one day I pick to be holy…
Now, I have this day (or morning) without any ministry obligations, how could I have forgotten myself so easily? Sitting at my desk, I pondered, “How can I look at the Sabbath or Sundays (on days off) differently?”
I remembered David Robinson writing in Ancient Paths, “Formation is not one single activity but a multifaceted work involving many types of spiritual tools.”[1] Then an article by MaryKate Morris popped into my head.[2] In this article, MaryKate explains how she restores order to her soul with the simple task of tidying.
Spiritual Practice of Sabbath Preparation
Every person has the potential of creating a spiritual practice through the ordinary tasks of daily life. Why not use my prep for sabbath as a discipline? Cool!
I laid out my clothes prayed thanksgiving over a suit to wear. Grabbing my shoes, I remembered packing my shoe polish, while polishing, prayed for a safe walk.
Finished dressing and started a prayer walk, passing the beach on the way. What a genuinely pleasant stroll to church.
[1] Robinson, David. Ancient Paths: Discover Christian Formation the Benedictine Way. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2010. (23)
[2] Morse, MaryKate. Missio Alliance. February 27, 2019. https://www.missioalliance.org/a-surprisingly-simple-spiritual-discipline-for-restoring-the-soul/.
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