Rhetoric Race and Religion
by Andre E. Johnson
R3 Editor
Every August for the last 10 years, our church has taken a Sabbath break. What this means for us is that outside of worship services on Sunday or any major events, such as funerals and the like, we shut down for the month to rest and reflect. I ask members to reflect first on their calls to be a part of church, the ministries in which they participate and if they are still call to serve here, what they feel called to do and how they would go about getting it done.
However, not only for the members, I too take time off. I am so busy that I look forward to August where I honor Sabbath. Many people ask me how do I do all that I do and the simple answer is that I take Sabbath; I must take Sabbath rests because if I did not, I could not do what I feel called to do. As an senior pastor, associate professor and a seasoned activist, my plate can and does get full very quick. I quickly realize that I too am human and that I cannot do it all. Sabbath for me helps prioritize what is important in a particular season in my life. Since I practice a servant leadership philosophy embedded in call-centeredness, I appreciate what I am call to do, but also Sabbath helps me understand what I am not call to do as well.
Sabbath is not necessarily a vacation—though I may take time to do that as well. Sabbath for me is not only about rest, but it is also during Sabbath month that I examine myself, ask the tough questions about me. I pray, I fast, and I meditate and do absolutely nothing for large periods of the day. I wonder am I still called to do the things I am doing. Am I living an authentic life, one of love, peace, happiness and joy? Do I need to let something go; do I need to pick up something? In short, I stop the roller coaster that my life can be at times and stop long enough to appreciate what the Creator has placed in my life.
When I talk with folks, either in the ministry or in academia (it’s amazing how both are so similar in many ways; sometimes it’s eerie) who are feeling stress out, worn out, tired, frustrated and the like, I simply ask, “when was the last time you had any rest? When was the last time you did absolutely nothing? When was the last time you took Sabbath?” Listen, you know you have been busy if when you finally take some time to rest you cannot because in your mind, you think you should be doing something! It is then that you know Sabbath is calling your name.
Therefore, on August 1, 2013, I start our Sabbath month. I look forward to what the Spirit reveals, I look forward to family and friends, I look forward to resting in the Lord and fully taking that person named Jesus at his words when he said, “Sabbath was made for humankind and not humankind for the Sabbath!” I hear you Jesus… and now I rest.
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