# Navigating Your Sabbatical

## Metadata
- Author: [[Keith Yoder]]
- Full Title: Navigating Your Sabbatical
- Category: #books
## Highlights
- As we abstain from work, we remind ourselves of our constant need for God, our accountability to Him for labor and time, and of the surety of His truth and strength in our lives. ([Location 75](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=75))
- The Sabbath rest also means more than a legalistic “don’t work.” How did Jesus answer the Pharisees when they attempted to enforce a “Sabbath” doctrine that was built upon “do-and-don’t-do” rules and regulations? ([Location 117](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=117))
- (Mark 2:24-28) ([Location 129](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=129))
- The phrase “For the word of God is living and powerful” is the reason assigned to the question of why we should enter His rest. ([Location 155](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=155))
- In the same way, being born as human beings in a fallen world, we are diagnosed with our old, sinful nature. God wants to do a purifying work in us. When we are busy working, we may not notice the depth of “cancer” still within our souls, drowned out by our daily tasks. But when we take time to abstain from labor, we’re no longer distracted by outside responsibilities, and the state of our inner man takes center stage as we allow the Lord to shine His surgeon’s light on our hearts. Sabbath rest is a time we can hear our inner cries and intentionally lay down under the Master’s sword so He can “pierce to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow” and “discern the thoughts and intents of our hearts” to remove the old nature and allow our souls to heal. ([Location 161](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=161))
- As we soak in His Word He can expose the fear, pride, covetousness, doubt and deception to a deeper level than before—the things that hinder our relationship with Him and effectiveness in His Kingdom. ([Location 167](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=167))
- Benefits of a pastor taking a Sabbatical (one application of Sabbath rest which can be applied to the leaders of corporations, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations as well as to the pastor of a congregation): Increased knowledge that “God can work through us and not the leader alone.” Avoid a “forced” change in the lives of the pastor and congregation. When pastors need a sabbatical, one of two scenarios can result: ([Location 173](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=173))
- If the pastor takes sabbatical, while he/she’s away, the congregation will experience a release of gifts (that will result in the body working jointly together). The pastor should not be threatened by this upon return, since the harvest field is unlimited. Two oxen cultivate a bigger field than two donkeys! ([Location 180](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=180))
- Consider the Sabbath rest economy that Yahweh had commanded of ancient Jerusalem. The land deprived of her rest resembles the landscape of the western church today. Thus says the Lord: Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, . . . nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. But they did not obey nor incline their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear nor receive instruction. . . But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day, . . .then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched." (Jeremiah 17:20-23) ([Location 190](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=190))
- to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years. (II Chronicles 36:17-21) ([Location 226](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=226))
- And it shall be, if you heed Me carefully," says the Lord, "to . . . hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work in it, then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever. And they shall come from the cities of Judah and from the places around Jerusalem, . . . bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, bringing sacrifices of praise to the house of the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:24-26) ([Location 234](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=234))
- Consider how the Apostle Paul exemplifies the benefits of the Sabbath principle. When God slowed Paul down with house arrest and prison, believers throughout the ages up to our present time were gifted with a number of his epistles, written from the depth of what the Holy Spirit spoke to his heart, that continue to draw us closer to Christ and His purpose for us in His Kingdom. ([Location 247](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=247))
- The Holy Spirit often leads people into an extended sabbatical during a time of transition, when a season of clarity and renewed anointing are vital. Taking time off from our labors in itself may not necessarily result in significant rejuvenation. Asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, however, concerning what He wants to accomplish in us, through us, and in our relationships will help us remain in a posture of receiving and submission. ([Location 319](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=319))
- Looking back to interpret our past labors. He can show us what works were of Him or what works were of our own human efforts; where we have fulfilled His purpose for our lives and where we have lacked. Looking up for refreshment in His truth and fellowship as He reveals Himself and His anointing to us in an inspiring, fresh way. Looking ahead to renew our commitment to future efforts. ([Location 365](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=365))
- Five C’s of Healthy Leadership: Christ, Community, Character, Calling, and Competence. ([Location 370](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=370))
- 1) Christ: Everything is of Him through Him and to Him—our relationship with Christ and submission to Him are the source of all we are and do. (Colossians 1:13-29) 2) Community: We cannot know Christ apart from fellowship and accountability within His Body. (I John 1:7;2-9; Romans 7:4) 3) Character: Evidence of true fellowship with God is borne in our character, which is our integrity and the fruit of the Spirit. (Matthew 7:21-23; John 14:21; Titus 2:7-8) 4) Calling: The specific purpose for which God has created us to serve in His Kingdom.(II Corinthians 3:2-3; I Thessalonians 2:1-20) 5) Competence: The natural ability and learned skills that God wants us to develop and use in order to serve the Body to the fullest potential for which He created us.(I Corinthians 2:7; I Timothy 1:7; II Timothy 2:15; 2:4) ([Location 378](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=378))
- Of these 5C’s, “Christ” is the source and sustenance of all the others—and the area where we generally lack. We may keep busy planning and scheming things for the Kingdom, asking Him to bless our plans, struggling to get the help we need from other sources. We compliment ourselves on the work we accomplish for Him, and monitor our success according to recognition and approval of others. In the meantime, we may wonder why we are so exhausted and burned-out, why we struggle in our relationships, and why we see so little lasting fruit. ([Location 391](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=391))
- In trying to live as “followers of Christ,” we sometimes forget to actually “follow Christ.” ([Location 395](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=395))
- During sabbatical we train ourselves to turn to and rely on Christ first in every aspect of our lives, ([Location 402](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=402))
- The following questions incorporate the Two Dynamics of Reflection (the three phases of transition, and the five C’s). Use them as a springboard for seeking the Holy Spirit’s insight and discerning His direction during your sabbatical. ([Location 405](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=405))
- (Exodus 31:17) ([Location 458](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=458))
- (II Chronicles 36:20-21) ([Location 470](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=470))
- (II Chronicles 36:20-21) ([Location 477](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=477))
- Aim first and foremost to achieve a Sabbath lifestyle—to cease striving from your own works to enter fully into His rest through presence-based leadership, and therefore accomplish His Kingdom purpose. ([Location 478](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=478))
- Hebrews 4:9-10) ([Location 483](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B016234KQ8&location=483))