Sabbatical Reflection- Our Plans and God’s Plans

At the moment, in my Sabbatical, I am reading an inspirational book, Sabbath: The Hidden Heartbeat of Our Lives by Nicola Slee who is the Director of Research at the Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham, where all Methodist Presbyters and Deacons are now trained (alongside Anglicans). 

It is not a book to be rushed, but to be read slowly, thought about and savoured.  A book full of wisdom to be contemplated.  I’m currently about a third of the way through it and already wishing I had read it as my first Sabbatical book.  Although the book is entitled Sabbath, it is as much about Sabbatical 

This morning one particular paragraph has struck me that I wanted to share with you.  The author is writing in the context of the benefits of spending time in nature, whether that be by lakes or rivers, by the sea or in a wood or forest. “Sabbath is the invitation into the free, wild space where we may play with the magic of the woods, explore off the beaten paths, enter the unbounded space of our hearts and imagination.  It’s the invitation to pursue the ideas or reading that we didn’t plan to do, to think outside the box; to follow leads hunches or dreams that weren’t part of our original Sabbatical agenda.  It is the entry into the freefall of sabbatical were the normal rules fall away and we enter a time and space more organic, more spontaneous, full of serendipity and unexpected synchronicities.” 

If you read my previous reflection, you’ll know that my Sabbatical has already gone off course.  I should have been on a plane today, on my way back from the Holy Land: instead I’m sitting in the Manse in Oswaldtwistle reading and reflecting. 

There is a saying that the best way to amuse God is to tell God your plans.  I wonder if that is particularly applicable to Sabbatical.

Of course, the Methodist Church quite rightly expects its Presbyters and Deacons to have some kind of plan for Sabbatical; but like Stuart Smith last year my plans have had to change. 

I did feel frustrated about the changes, yet as I read Nicola Slee’s words “It is the entry into the freefall of sabbatical were the normal rules fall away and we enter a time and space more organic, more spontaneous, full of serendipity and unexpected synchronicities” I realised that is exactly what is happening. 

As I have relaxed into Sabbatical, and it has taken me a couple of weeks to fully unwind, I have discovered the reality of those words.  I had a reading list of books I wanted to study whilst released from my normal responsibilities as a Presbyter, books on leadership in preparation for September and my move to become Circuit Superintendent of Burnley and Pendle, books about Jesus and the historical context in which he preached and healed and books about pilgrimage.  Nicola Slee’s book wasn’t on it but recommended by a Minister friend.  It was a serendipitous recommendation, exactly what I need right now and if God sends other unexpected surprises my way before 20^th June I will welcome and embrace them. 

I think, though, that there is a wider principle here that can apply well beyond Sabbatical or even Sabbath, and that is the idea that as Christians we should apply the freefall of Sabbatical to our journey of discipleship, at least some of the time. 

We all, I think, make plans for our lives.  My plan for my life didn’t include being ordained as a Methodist Presbyter and yet I honesty couldn’t now see myself doing anything else.  Again, I had a plan in mind for my service as a Presbyter: a five-year stint in my first Circuit, followed by 5-8 years in my second before offering for Superintendency.  That plan has been laid aside as well because God had something else in mind.  When it comes to Christian discipleship and my service to God as a Presbyter, I have learnt that it doesn’t make much sense to plan too far ahead because God may well have other ideas.  

In Jeremiah 29:11 we read “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.”  It is easy to take this verse out of context and read too much into it, but it does convey the general idea that God has plans for us.  That isn’t to suggest that we should never make plans, but rather that we must always be open to the idea that God might have something different in mind. 

So, as I continue on Sabbatical I will stick to the new plan, to visit Lindisfarne in June but perhaps other places as well, to read the books on the list but to be open to being diverted to others, to build some model railway wagons but to be open to other creative opportunities. 

As Christians I believe it is good for us to have our plans, as individuals and as churches, but we must be willing to hold onto them lightly and to move as we feel the Holy Spirit leading us.