Copyright © 2026 Women of the ELCA. Reprint permission is granted for use in Women of the ELCA units, clusters/conferences and synodical women’s organizations provided each post is reproduced in its entirety. If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.
I spent part of my sabbatical on an island. One day I joined a group traveling to the next island. A thick fog encircled our boat. It was the first time I’d ridden in a small boat on the ocean, and as we left the shelter of the bay and into deeper waters, I felt the power of the ocean waves rising ever higher beneath us. At first, I tensed against the movement, gripping the rails, but after a while I became used to the rocking sea and relaxed into the rhythm of the boat, which made for a much more pleasant ride. Slowly the other island appeared ahead of us, wild and remote, and visiting it became one of my favorite experiences of my travels.
Rest is risky. It’s hard work to move away from responsibilities, to give up control, to give yourself a break. Sometimes it feels easier to keep swimming forward, kicking and stretching, never looking up, stealing breaths when you get a chance. Letting go and letting the waters carry you means not knowing the outcome and being open to new possibilities, to trust in the directions God will take you.
This message is excerpted from the faith reflection “Rest and risk” by Jennifer Hackbarth in the June 2022 Café online magazine. Today we commemorate Barnabas, Apostle.