While I think it is of great value for a pastor to find a complete day for Sabbath, I want to explore also the way that we can practice the Sabbath in brief interrupted times. It doesn’t replace the value of a whole day but it helps us stay in touch with God and others.
An intentional time of prayer that brings us into communion with God is part of our Sabbath time. It is best to think of when it is most likely that the chosen time will be uninterrupted. I found that early morning before I left the house was a good time for me. I chose a particular room in the house where I could have a Bible and a devotional as well as writing materials. This was not a time for study, however. It was a time to deliberately make space to commune with God. Writing often helped that but the focus was on time with God. Some form of centering prayer was also helpful.
Monday was my day off. It was frequently filled with all sorts of tasks and was not a time for good spiritual nurture. When I arrived at church on Tuesday, before I sorted all the messages from the weekend, I regularly went to the chapel for at least a half-hour of prayer time. It helped center me for the week. The chapel, rather than in my office, prevented me from being distracted by all the tasks awaiting my attention.
A third place of respite that I discovered was to make use of hospital chapels during my visit to patients. It may only be fifteen or twenty minutes, but it was always a refreshing time to pause in the midst of a busy day to remember who I was and who had called me to ministry.
Think about your day and week. What are the ways in which you can interrupt the pace, however briefly and place yourself in communion with God?
