Learning to Follow

One of the disciplines of this Sabbatical is to move away from routine that is predicted and dictated by habit. It is a gift to set aside the "normal" activities of ministry and become more curious about how God can use this time to strengthen, energize, and enhance the way I can serve. I find myself readily seeking God's inspiration and direction when I face even the practical routines of the day.

In many ways this is similar to the moments I used to experience back in the dancing days (yes, I used to dance! and still do from time to time...) Sometimes if the leader and I were losing our connection...and it seemed that my ability to follow was slipping...we would pause and the leader would simply move gently in place(no fancy steps). This is called "keeping time". Once we were smoothly and harmoniously moving again in place, we coul start out again as a single entity -- two bodies joined in step and rhythm.

I find myself embracing the practice of stopping regularly throughout these sabbatical days. I simply pause wherever and whenever I find myself wondering: How would the Lord have me use this time?

When "normal life" returns, I can only imagine that even the most rigidly scheduled day will be enhanced in remarkable ways if occasional moments are taken to "keep time" with the Loving Leader of Life's Dance.





I have heard that it takes 30 days to break a habit and 30 days to internalize new behavior. Hmmmmmmm.... we shall see!

NOTE: The painting included on this posting is by Cliff Warner.