Thompson's Blog

I don’t guess journeying was an acceptable thing for good Jews to do on the Sabbath, but I’m not a good Jew. I wouldn’t call myself a good Christian either, but I think I am a good Methodist — which includes a wide circle of practices, disciplines (or lack of), and observations. My good Methodist friend, Bill W., labeled this trip as an extended Sabbath experience the other day, and I think that is exactly what this has been.

In my opinion, to observe the Sabbath is to simply step out of your work routine on a regular basis. It’s a way of building in some humanity and divinity in to your lifestyle. I don’t generally neglect the observation of the Sabbath in my normal routine, but for whatever reason I was compelled to engage in an extended Sabbath.

I departed my life as I know it to be for the last two weeks, and it has been an incredibly moving experience. I didn’t really know what I was doing when I embarked on this adventure, but I now see that I had such daunting challenges each day I couldn’t think about what I was not getting done at home or at work. My Sabbath was very active, but it was a radical departure from my daily routine for an extended period of time, and it has been both humanizing and holy for me.

I’ve loved every day of this journey. My mind,body, and spirit have been taken to some extreme places, and I have found nourishment there. I’m privileged to have been fed by both the silent prayers and the encouraging words of so many people. I have been richly blessed by this experience, and in a significant way I don’t feel that this journey is over. This trip has helped me see what a rich journey the endeavor of life really is.

I had an eclectic musical playlist that I allowed myself to indulge in a couple of times each day. It included the Jim Croce song, “I’ve Got A Name”. The refrain speaks of moving down the highway so that life won’t pass him by. I have been reminded that this is my goal as well. I want to live in a manner that I don’t let true life pass me by. Jesus had a lot to say about the business of true life. This Sabbath journey has renewed my hope to find it, and I pray that God will help you find that narrow path as well!

Amen.