This area for temporary and important messaging. COVID RESOURCES

Apply
Your Journey Starts Here
Apply
Donate
Support Our Mission
Donate

On the Ground between “Auto Pilot” and “Fighter Pilot”

Sabbath-rest-348902821-300x200
 
In his most recent book, Do Over, author Jon Acuff asks whether there are things in your life that you have set on “auto pilot” that should be set to “fighter pilot.” He’s trying to get at an important reality—that oftentimes we have fallen into easy patterns of action when perhaps some more attention might allow us to be more effective. But it seems to me that this is also in some ways an attractive, but false, dichotomy. It’s a feature of the American way of working that things must be fast, or if possible, faster.
Against that idea, our tradition speaks of Sabbath, a regular period of rest that allows us to recover from the exertions of work and that can return us to our work with joy and renewed energy. There are some things in our lives that don’t need to have more energy put behind them. Perhaps they shouldn’t be done at all, at least for a while. The Sabbath is a time of complete rest—but that is not the same as a time of complete lethargy. God does not save us from the sin of pride in overwork only to dump us into the sin of sloth. No, the time of Sabbath is a time of relying on God’s providence rather than our own efforts. The Sabbath is a time for enjoying God and God’s creation. The Sabbath is a time of renewal for ourselves and our relationships. The Sabbath is a time of active rest.
This week is Spring Break week here at Southwest. I am not so naive as to believe that no one has work to do over this break. I, myself, will surely spend no small part of the week catching up on tasks and trying to get a little ahead of the second half of the semester. Even if you do not have the luxury of a reduced workload this week, I still encourage all of us to take some of this week as a kind of Sabbath. Take some time to rest and recover from the last seven weeks. Walk in the world and enjoy its beauty. Eat food that nourishes you in body and soul, not simply the food that is most easily gotten and consumed. Talk with a friend or family member about your dreams for the near and far future together. Spend some extra time in prayer, thanking God for all that has come before, and all that will come to pass.
The second half of our semester here at Southwest, which this year is jam-packed not only with our regular work, but also with Holy Week, final exams, commencement preparations, and so much more, will come soon enough. When it does, may the memory of Spring Break (or whatever Sabbath time you have found) and its “time well wasted” be a source of strength and not regret.
How can you find a period of Sabbath in your life this week, even if its short?
During your Sabbath, what can you do that will not simply be the absence of activity, but will be actually renewing and life-giving?
 
micah_jacksonMicah Jackson (@Micah_SSW) is the Bishop John Hines Associate Professor of Preaching at Seminary of the Southwest.  Micah’s interests include homiletic form, the spiritual discipline of preaching, and the postmodern relationship between the preacher and the congregation.

Theological Degrees

Learn more about a Master of Divinity, a Diploma of Anglican Studies, or other programs that lead to ordination.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Learn about a CACREP accredited Master of Mental Health Counseling Degree.

Ways to Support

Learn about opportunities to support  Southwest through Annual Fund, Scholarships, and more.

Looking for Something?

Apply Now (MHC and MSF)

Apply Now (MDiv, MAR, and DAS)