Summer Sabbatical

Today I leave for a new adventure… in Central America.

This summer holds a different kind of adventure for me. Rather than sightseeing, thrill-seeking or mission tripping, I am traveling with the purpose of studying God’s Word and prayer. 

My summer will be a practice in being, not doing.

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord. 

(Jeremiah 29:12-14)

Here’s the back-story:

The Setting

I’ve completed a year and a half of seminary: studying theology and the Bible in an academic setting. I also live in an urban center in the United States of America—probably the most fast-paced, achievement-driven country on earth. During the semester, my life is busy. very busy. Studying full-time, working part-time, and trying to even talk to a few people during the week, I barely find time to sleep.

I am not unique in this scenario. As a single young adult in the city, I feel a particular pull towards making a name for myself. We strive for more money, to be attractive, to be cool. For the most part, it comes easily. We’re surrounded by big buildings, big names, and big ambitions. We’re starting to make a lot of money with our time, which feels awesome. We can follow every impulse and desire; we are independent with no one to be accountable to. We’re young and energetic, handsome and strong, smart and funny.

Being caught up in the speed of the city, it’s easy to forget God. Many of us do. I have conversation after conversation with coworkers and dear friends who have lost their faith, or who just don’t care about God, or maybe are in a deep slump. We don’t need him (so it feels). We can succeed on our own, and life celebrates all that we’re good at. It’s hard to imagine I’m dependent on God.

Being in seminary I’m not immune from the world. I’m even guilty at times of following my own pride through the façade of being a good Christian. I just want to be good enough. I just want to earn favor with God, or at least with man. But in the midst of the cultural lies, I must get back to the root of truth. God becomes more real in my life when I obey how he told us to live.

I like my schooling; I like what I’m studying. However, I also value rest and a chance to step back and take a different approach to the Bible—one that is more organic and not so constrained by time. This summer I seek to go to the core of the Christian faith, meditating on what God has revealed about Himself in Scripture and praying as His prescribed response.

The Idea                                            

As I anticipated summer 2013 coming up, I began to look at options of where I would spend it, what I would do. If I quit my job and took the summer off, I would have two solid months to go anywhere in the world. I don’t want to be a perpetual traveler filled with wanderlust, but this seems like a summer I can strategically use for personal and spiritual growth.

Looking international seemed like a good option as I consider one of my life’s passions and purposes to be connecting with the worldwide church and understanding the diversity of humankind.

As this summer may be my last as a single young adult with the ability to travel and try something new, I want to use it purposefully. I know most people do not ever get the opportunity to take a summer off. I’m extremely blessed to be able to afford this financially. Knowing how busy I keep myself, I know this is a great chance to disengage and take a step back to renew the spiritual side of my life, and so I began looking into options around the world.

The Options

First I considered a mission trip back to Asia; I’d love to see China and visit a friend in Taiwan, maybe even partner with some friends in Singapore. But after not being able to find a travel buddy, I considered that door closed. I’m so grateful for companionship with Kyle in India, and I’m convinced I don’t want to try missions without a good friend like him.

Next I looked into an extended “pilgrimage” at Orthodox monasteries in Greece and Mount Sinai monastery in Egypt. Living in a monastery is part of my ambitious “I think I’d like to try it” list, and as I began to seriously consider spending my summer in a monastic community, the idea became extremely appealing. I saw it as an awesome chance to slow down and have nothing to do but read, memorize and meditate on the Bible, and spend ample time in prayer. Yet hopes faded when I was politely turned down by the monks.

Back at square one, I considered other lifelong ambitions: spend a summer abroad studying Spanish in Costa Rica or live in a cabin in the mountains by myself for a month. Only weeks away from summer, I researched heavily and have ended up with a combination of all pursuits…

Where I’m Headed

Today I’m flying to Costa Rica. There I’ll be staying in a “jungle house” by myself for 25 days. It’s rainy season, so I got a great deal (part of why I can afford this), and I’m sure the rain will help keep me focused on my goal of meditating on God’s Word and praying. I’m excited to be in Central America because I can work on my Spanish and learn more about Latin culture and Hispanic people.

I suppose “sabbatical” is a fitting term because this is a rest from work, a break to refresh and renew. I’m excited to refresh my faith by feeding it with essential nutrients. Too often in the city I’ve starved my faith by not being diligent in the core spiritual disciplines. Beauty makes me come alive, and I’m thrilled to immerse myself in such naturally beautiful places and let my soul spring out in worship to God. The house is in hikable distance from some waterfalls and only about 6 miles from the Pacific coast, so I can even hike to the beach while memorizing scripture. :)

Part II of my time in Central America will begin as I take a bus ride up to Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. There I’ll begin a more communal approach to the spiritual retreat, staying at a Catholic mission  for almost three weeks, eating 3 meals a day with other volunteers and occasionally partnering with work of the mission. I’ll be able to choose my own pace, so some days I can help with their education projects, go to the coffee plantations, or even help out with mass in other villages, and other days I can just go to the chapel to pray or take a hike overlooking the “most beautiful lake in the world.”

I don’t want to merely do a lot of things in life; I want to become a man of God and to be fully devoted to the gospel. I believe the distinctive of Christian ministry is our use of God’s Word and prayer to a God who hears us and whose Spirit dwells within us. This summer I don’t want to be a tourist or go on another mission trip; I want to be with God. I’m grateful and humbled and excited and afraid as I step into this new journey—your prayers are much appreciated!

But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness. For “physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.” This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

Command and teach these things. Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress. Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

1 Timothy 4:7-16