Daily Devotion
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."
Psalm 27:4
One of the hidden dangers of ministry, leadership, teaching, and serving others is that we can begin approaching God primarily for what we can get from Him rather than simply enjoying Him.
We sit down to read Scripture and immediately think, "This would make a great sermon." We spend time in prayer and begin organizing lessons, social media posts, Bible studies, devotionals or conversations in our minds. Before long, our relationship with God can become productive, but not necessarily intimate.
The truth is that God never intended for us to know Him merely as a source of content. He desires to be known as Father, Friend, Shepherd, Savior, and King.
During sabbatical, many of the demands to produce should be temporarily removed. The pressure to prepare, teach, organize, lead, and answer questions should grow quieter. In that silence, an important question emerges:
If no one ever heard what God spoke to me today, would I still want to spend time with Him?
David did not seek God's presence because he needed material for others. He sought God's presence because he loved God Himself. The Lord is not merely a subject to study. He is a person to know.
The deepest spiritual growth often happens when there is no audience, no assignment, no deadline, and no expectation to share what we receive. In those moments, our affection is purified. We learn to sit at His feet not because we need something from Him, but because we desire Him.
Ironically, when we stop seeking God primarily for others, we often hear Him more clearly for them. Ministry flows best from intimacy, not obligation. Service is healthiest when it overflows from relationship rather than replacing it.
Sabbatical is an invitation to return to your first love and simply enjoy the Messenger.
Happy Sabbatical
Psalm 27:4
One of the hidden dangers of ministry, leadership, teaching, and serving others is that we can begin approaching God primarily for what we can get from Him rather than simply enjoying Him.
We sit down to read Scripture and immediately think, "This would make a great sermon." We spend time in prayer and begin organizing lessons, social media posts, Bible studies, devotionals or conversations in our minds. Before long, our relationship with God can become productive, but not necessarily intimate.
The truth is that God never intended for us to know Him merely as a source of content. He desires to be known as Father, Friend, Shepherd, Savior, and King.
During sabbatical, many of the demands to produce should be temporarily removed. The pressure to prepare, teach, organize, lead, and answer questions should grow quieter. In that silence, an important question emerges:
If no one ever heard what God spoke to me today, would I still want to spend time with Him?
David did not seek God's presence because he needed material for others. He sought God's presence because he loved God Himself. The Lord is not merely a subject to study. He is a person to know.
The deepest spiritual growth often happens when there is no audience, no assignment, no deadline, and no expectation to share what we receive. In those moments, our affection is purified. We learn to sit at His feet not because we need something from Him, but because we desire Him.
Ironically, when we stop seeking God primarily for others, we often hear Him more clearly for them. Ministry flows best from intimacy, not obligation. Service is healthiest when it overflows from relationship rather than replacing it.
Sabbatical is an invitation to return to your first love and simply enjoy the Messenger.
Happy Sabbatical
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