Do You Sabbath?

I am very protective of my Saturdays. I consider Saturday a Sabbath day for me. Sundays are wall to wall activities and commitments, and not very restful, so I chose Saturday to be my day of rest.

I haven't always sabbathed, but more and more I am realizing what a necessity a day of rest is. And I actually have to discipline myself not to run errands, do housework or other chores on Saturday. It can be hard, but I know the Lord wants us each to take a day of rest, and in the end, I am grateful for that time of restoration.

I see people, even Christians, who are constant go-go-go people, not stopping to rest even on weekends. They can't sit still. They may be serving others, or feel their work load is so heavy it must spill into the weekends. But even Jesus took Sabbath, and required His disciples to do the same. You can't tell me your plate is more full than Jesus'.

My friend recently told me the 3 R's to Sabbath - Reflection, Restoration and Recreation. It is a day to reflect on God's work through the previous week and how He wants me to proceed next; rest and relax and let the week's stress melt away; and enjoy the day with activities that will energize me and give me a chance to let loose. I love my Saturdays, and I will continue to be fiercely protective of them. I just don't function the same without my Sabbath, and I believe that's how God has orchestrated it.

I can do it!

In case anyone is wondering if I'm still running, the answer is YES.

The past few months have been a bit of a slump, and the holidays didn't help. But I am happy to say I am getting back on track, and trying to get back up to running three times a week like I used to. I also have decided I'm going to sign up with SA Fit for training for this year's half-marathon in November! Any encouragements and cheers you want to lend me are very much welcome and appreciated.

I continue to see running as similar to my spiritual walk with Christ. I have to be disciplined, I can't always give in to my what I selfishly want or don't want, and I have to remain consistent and constant in my relationship with God to make it as fruitful as possible.

I went to the Dave Ramsey event on Saturday, and at the age of 50, Dave also runs half marathons. He compared the training to finances. You have to be disciplined, and you have to have it in your head that you can accomplish your goals. Very true.

It's more a mental challenge than anything else, and come November, I WILL run 13.1 miles!

Leadership Challenge

I recently took on the role of Life Group Leader for my Life Group, and it's been a bit more of an undertaking than I thought it would be. I feel much more accountable to showing up completely surrendered, and being much more thoughtful in my responses. Even during the week, I will get emails periodically from a group member asking for prayer or wanting to make suggestions or bring up concerns, and I realize how important it is to be very deliberate and prayerful about each decision.

I think leading, in anything, can be an overwhelming task when you really think about how your actions will affect those you lead. You are more accountable to setting an example, showing up prepared and ready to engage, making time for activities you otherwise may have begged off of, or just really listening to someone and determining whether their suggestions are what is best for the group. I think sometimes we see leading as just keeping things going - keeping all the balls in the air and not letting something drop. But in reality, it's not just maintaining what is already there but moving those you lead into a new challenge, aiding in spiritual growth, and making sure that growth is happening. That can be a big responsibility, but definitely one that teaches you to be more transparent and definitely accountable in your own spiritual growth. How can you lead others somewhere that you are not going? I think this is going to really challenge me, in a good way, to seek God's will first and put myself second.