Today’s message is about what happens when people keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting the result to somehow end up differently “this time.” It is about people who become overwhelmed with sameness, repetition and “trying harder.” It is about the gradual hemorrhaging of the spirit. As a nation of people, we have experienced a feeling of helplessness regarding our foreign policy, the behavior of the leaders in the financial world, the policies surrounding human sexuality, and many other issues. Last Tuesday, our new President issued a call to renewal. He quoted George Washington when he said, “Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet.”
My prayer for our President is that he will find time for rest, for without it, he will surely perish. People have such high expectations of him. He is not the Messiah. He is one man who has managed to hold onto his ideals, who will tolerate no “drama” from the immature, and who is determined to hear advice from many quarters but then to accept his role as the one who decides.
My message today is about Sabbath rest. We all need it. One of the ways that ministers get Sabbath rest is through Sabbatical Leave. My pastoral call with this congregation states, “Wild Rose provides the pastor with a sabbatical leave of 3 months after 5 years of half-time ministry with Wild Rose. During the sabbatical, the pastor is paid full salary and benefits (there are no paid benefits currently). It is the pastor’s responsibility to share with the Steering Committee, at least one year prior to beginning the sabbatical, the developing plans for time away. In the pastor’s absence we covenant with integrity to care for Wild Rose, our programs, our worship life and each other. Further we covenant not to use this time to accomplish or decide alone what we have not been willing or able to do together. We will, and we expect the pastor will also, use this time to reflect on our mutual ministry in Christ and how we can live more fully into our call as a church of Jesus Christ. Upon the pastor’s return, we will invite the pastor to share with the church an overview of activities and learning from the sabbatical. Unless otherwise agreed prior to the sabbatical, we expect that the pastor will continue as our pastor and teacher for at least one year after the return.”
The Steering Committee has been aware of my developing plans for well over a year as we labored to prepare grant applications for the Lilly Foundation. Although we did not receive Lilly grants, some of my aspirations remain the same, but others have developed more around local endeavors as no travel money is in sight. I still hope to enter into the world of improvisational music. I still may visit family, but at my own expense. Perhaps I can continue to understand how two people travel spiritual paths together, but I will not be hiring expensive experts for information. I want to visit a number of houses of worship, but most of all want to continue to experience the approach of the “emerging church.” A famous therapist once said, “People don’t need an explanation, they need an experience.” The emerging church offers experiences designed to open people up to spiritual growth. Perhaps some of you have had experiences during worship or elsewhere that have helped you see past “this world” to your true home in God. Part of my sabbatical will be spent doing nothing but contemplation.
One of Christianity’s clearest voices on the subject of Sabbath rest, which includes sabbatical, is Wayne Muller. We RMC- UCC ministers read his book several years ago in preparation for our annual retreat. It is entitled, “Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives.”I’ve edited a few of Muller’s words on this Sunday when we shall consider the details of my sabbatical at a meeting at 11:30. I’ve edited them for myself and for our President.
“All life requires a rhythm of rest…We have lost this essential rhythm. Our culture invariably supposes that action and accomplishment are better than rest, that doing something—anything—is better than doing nothing. Because of our desire to succeed, to meet these ever-growing expectations, we do not rest. Because we do not rest, we lose our way. We miss the compass points that would show us where to go, we bypass the nourishment that would give us succor. We miss the quiet that would give us wisdom. We miss the joy and love born of effortless delight. Poisoned by this hypnotic belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort, we can never truly rest. And for want of rest, our lives are in danger.
In our drive for success we are seduced by the promises of more: more money, more recognition, more satisfaction, more love, more information, more influence, more possessions, more security. Even when our intentions are noble and our efforts sincere—even when we dedicate our lives to the service of others—the corrosive pressure of frantic over activity can nonetheless cause suffering in ourselves and others.” (p. 1-2)
I’m glad that the new President will be converting the White House bowling alley into a basketball court. I’m glad that he dearly loves his children and will charge his own batteries by spending time with them. Our children are the repositories of our hopes for the future. I’m glad that he’ll be flying off to Camp David every now and then in order to “get out of Dodge” for a fresh perspective. And I’m glad for the opportunity to do the same. Such new possibilities we will discover. Such truths we shall confront. I would like to go on record as saying that our current Moderator, Jackie Delafose, is blessed with many fine characteristics of sound leadership and I am grateful for her presence here.
Amen.
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