Sabbatical Reflections

First Things First

Before anything else is said, on behalf of my wife Sheri and myself, I want to express our heartfelt thanks to the elders and congregation for making this past summer possible. Just before our departure a member of our church family came up and kindly quipped, “You have a great group of elders around you.”

How true. I knew it, of course. But now everyone else does. A functioning plurality of elders with shared vision, a shared passion for Christ’s glory and love for His family is the Lord’s design for the church but sadly often not a reality. What you witnessed this summer was the visible expression of Ephesians chapter four and the fruit of nearly 20 years of ministry.

Christ has given grace-gifts to each Christian and gifted men to the church in order to equip the flock for the work of the ministry. The church grows in maturity and love as each member does his/her part. In this manner, the body faithfully continued along the normal path as sheep were fed, Christ was preached and attention was given to the apostle’s doctrine, the breaking of bread, fellowship and prayer (Acts 2:42). No dog and pony shows. No trickery; just the bread and butter of life together in Christ. He supplies the divine power.

I can honestly say, as I did in my first elder’s meeting this week, I never had an anxious moment about the care and condition of the flock during the sabbatical – not one. I knew true shepherds and not hirelings were lovingly watching over you.

All of this did, however, come at a price. The pulpit ministry and care of the flock was distributed among the remaining elders who each had to carry a heavier load than normal. For this, I will forever be grateful. Perhaps you developed a new habit of praying for all the elders with an increased sense of urgency. Might I encourage you to make this your new normal? They have always been there.

So How Did It Go?

What Did You Do?

As you can imagine, we have already had more than a few conversations with individuals and groups of people curious to hear of our ventures and learn if the sabbatical served its purpose on our end. I’ll share just a few personal insights in this article and will let you in on some of the fun stuff in my next few blog entries.

When all is Stripped Away

Let me begin by reminding you that we were asked to rest, get away with Christ and each other and be refreshed. I was under strict orders (Ha, ha!) not to make this a working sabbatical. I thought I would have no problem with that but low and behold after a few weeks I felt ready to return to the normal rhythm of life. My pulpit preparation and study patterns provide a built-in mechanism for personal spiritual maintenance and growth. When that was stripped away and it became clear that I wasn’t coming back any time soon, I began to feel like I was in a free-fall.

By God’s grace I eventually reached a place of peaceful rest through deep meditation and contemplation of Scripture. This was different. It was not as utilitarian as my normal reading. I’m usually reading with pen in hand, jotting down ways this passage could be taught or applied in the church.

But now all the props were gone. It was time to let the word have its way with my heart alone. It was time to listen long and with the sole purpose of being ministered to and responding in prayerful adoration. I thought of one the songs we sing in corporate worship.

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart
The Heart of Worship by Michael W. Smith

The Two-Edged Sword

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

God’s living word indeed searched out corridors and penetrated deeply into my heart. I saw much that needs to change in the mirror of the truth (James 1). I fought with regret. It’s easy to look back on nearly 20 years of decisions and focus on the ones you wish you had again. But mere accusation is the devil’s work.

God aims to sanctify through Spirit wrought repentance.

Soon our compassionate Savior buoyed me by the hope found in the promises of the gospel. What God reveals He intends to change and this by the power of the Holy Spirit and not by my striving in the flesh (2 Corinthians 3:18). His grace flooded me like the cold snow-melt streams we saw cascading in Glacier National Park.

Run, John, run, the law commands,
but gives us neither feet nor hands.
Far better news the gospel brings:
It bids us fly and gives us wings
John Bunyan

Yes, I have been refreshed and renewed. But not without spiritual effort and tears of repentance. My greatest fear now is that I’ll get back in a groove and forget about it all. I’m doing all I can not to. This ground was gained at a great price and I’m unwilling to move backwards. But I need grace for this as well. Pray for me in this regard.

Tony Sanelli is one of our Pastors here at Grace Bible Church