Sabbatical reflections:
For
the first time in my twenty-six years of serving with the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes, we as staff have been afforded the luxury of a thirty day paid sabbatical.
Its intent is for rest, renewal, and reflection. I had been planning to take my
sabbatical, now available once every three years, in the spring of 2021, but as
the United States’ response to COVID-19 has led to wide shutdowns or postponements
of sporting seasons, I decided to take it from mid-September through
mid-October as these are likely the least busy weeks for the coming twelve
months. Some reflections on the sabbatical, its shape, and its outcomes are
below.
- It took me a whole week
to slow down. I normally go at a rapid rate with lots of energy and
activity. Dealing with COVID-19 issues had slowed things down a bit
already, but it still took a solid week before I had the ability to be introspective
and to think deeply about some things.
- That first
introspective thought came as I was on a brisk walk through the campus on
an early morning, just before dawn. As I approached the football stadium
I could see the lights were on. As I drew closer I could see the north
gate was open. As I neared the gate I could see and hear players at
practice. I walked past, not being allowed inside the university athletics
bubble since early August, and thought, “Normally, I would be in there
with them, but I am out here in exile.” Exile. I began to contemplate, “What
am I supposed to be learning while in exile? What did Israel learn while
in exile?” I determined I would read every Bible text I could find written
by, to, or for those in exile. That reading was convicting, comforting,
and insightful. It was most encouraging when I read this promise in
Isaiah 51:14-16. I wrote it in my journal and dwelt on it for days. This
text gave me great confidence for what was to be after I returned from
sabbatical with hopes to be allowed inside the athletics bubble. (I was thrilled
that to see those hopes come to full fruition the day I returned.)
14 The exile will soon be set free, and will not die in the dungeon, nor
will his bread be lacking. 15 For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar
(the Lord of armies is His name). 16 And I have put My words
in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish
the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”
- It was very helpful to
have a plan. Mine was to read several books (reading a couple for a second
or third time), and to have long talks over lunch with a number of carefully
selected, long-term friends.
- I journaled daily.
- I had a lot of time at
home with my wife of forty-five years. Since late February, the COVID
situation has had us occupying the same space, has limited my travel – even
locally, and then adding in a thirty day sabbatical gave us both a look at
what my retirement would look like. Neither of us are ready for that!
- It would have been
better if I could have traveled, just to get away from things that can pop
up when one is at home, but in this era it was neither wise nor helpful. I
would have gone to Florida to stay in a friend’s condo on the beach or to
a similarly remote place to eliminate distractions.
- It was also helpful to
have desired outcomes. Mine were go gather perspective, that is a sense of
where we are, where we’re going, and what is coming in the next years. I
had also begun to think about this idea, “If the Lord is preparing new
wine for His followers, and I believe He is, we will need new wineskins.
What should they look like?”
- I chose books to read
based on these desired outcomes. The books are in this photo.
- I chose and scheduled
my long lunches with friends based on these desired outcomes. These
friends all live in a three hour radius of my home. They included my son,
my mentor, my best friend from high school, my present best friend, a
couple of pastors, and a friend from the music world.
- Though the sabbatical
is intended to be a total cessation from work, I did engage in a couple of
unique opportunities with ministry leaders I love and respect.
- I was asked to do a
presentation and to facilitate a discussion for Nations of Coaches
and I was thrilled to do so.
- I was asked to do the
same for the annual PowerUp Sports Ministry Conference and I also
enjoyed being a part of that.
If you should be given the opportunity to take a sabbatical, whether three days, thirty days, three months, or a year, take it. I was well satisfied with mine as I emerged with clearer perspective, a sense of what new wineskins look like for ministry in sport, and renewed energy and vision for daily ministry. I would recommend you get away from potential distractions if possible. I would recommend you have a plan and desired outcomes for your sabbatical.
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