Have you ever taken a sabbatical?
A sabbatical is an extended time of rest—modeled on the Sabbath day—in which you take a long block of time to focus on something other than your career. Many university professors take sabbaticals in order to write books or to focus on research, and some professionals take them in order to hone a new skill or simply do something else for a while. I’ve even heard of people taking them in order to invest time with their family.
The concept of a sabbatical is rooted in scripture. Starting in Genesis, God illustrates the natural rhythm of six days working, one day off. Later, in Leviticus the Israelites are told to let the land rest one year out of every seven. During the seventh year, they’re allowed to eat what the land produces, but they must let it grow wild.
Have you ever taken a sabbatical? Would you ever want to?
My friends, the Sabbath day is much more that time of rest. It’s the seal of God’s people. (Exodus 20:8-11; Ezekiel 20;12, 20, for example). In my relationship whit Christ, I always have been accepting His invitation to rest on the Sabbath day (seventh day of the week), and I assure you all, it’s one of the most celebrated blessings in my life. Try it. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him”. Psalms 34:8.
I’m taking a sabbatical this Spring break, hiking in the Colville National Forrest, spending time alone with God to recharge. I have school, work and my son all the time, it will be nice to take a break and get refocused on life, what its all about.