For my sabbatical, I planned to spend lots of time near the ocean, basking in the rhythm of waves, letting the crash of the surf soothe me. But the ocean is different from a lake–there are a power and wildness of the ocean, at once exciting and overwhelming. I expected my sabbatical time to be easy and carefree, like an afternoon at the lake.
I forgot that letting go of control, seeking time to rest, and setting aside responsibilities can often feel like fighting a rip current. Rest isn’t always an absence of movement; sometimes it’s giving yourself permission to seek what gives you life and joy and relaxing into whatever direction the current takes you.
What challenges do you face when you try to rest?
This message is an excerpt of “Rest and risk,” a faith reflection by Jennifer Hackbarth in the September 2017 issue of Café.
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