Rest, Restore, Reconnect, Rejuvenate

I have been traveling for well over a month now… It has been exciting, challenging and restorative in a few ways. As a family we have been on the go for just over three weeks and it has been a great time filled with many discussions, meals, walks, hikes and more.

I wanted to share a bit of what I am trying to achieve with all of this. In classic preacher fashion… I chose for different “R” words to describe my motive and strategy in the implementation of my Sabbatical.

These words are 1) Rest 2) Restore 3) Reconnect and 4) Rejuvenate.

Now I know some of these words sound similar and I know there are more “R” words, however, these words made sense to me and I have defined them below. I wanted to share with you a bit of how each of these areas are doing as of June 22, 2022.

Rest (cease action, refrain from labor)

This trip has not been restful… in fact, the first part of my Sabbatical was highly laborious. I spent the month of May preparing for and executing a trip to Israel where I was able to practice leading a trip of Pilgrims through the Holy Land. The first two weeks in May were partly preparation. The middle two weeks of May were the execution of the trip. The last week of May was my preparation for an adapted Israel trip for my wife and four teenagers. You could say I have learned how to lead a trip of teens through the Holy Land. Lol.

My Sabbatical was not fully intended to be restful from exercise or labor. In fact, I have been paying close attention to my weight loss journey and trying to get at least 10K steps per day.

I have been able to rest from my work in the church… which has opened me up to hear God a bit differently. I am so grateful for my Elders, staff and volunteers that keep the Orchard running. They are literally (daily, weekly, monthly) investing in me and my family.

I do have a plan for prolonged inactivity in August. I look forward to some extended rest. However, now is the time to maximize family connection.

I shared…. Now let me ask you… how are you resting?

Restore (bring back, return to a former condition)

I found this word very helpful. Every day I get up and begin moving around I am reflecting on what it means to be “brought back” into a former condition. The pursuit of “restoration” requires me to be in prayer constantly… when I wake up, when I lay down, when I move throughout the day. I am constantly asking God for vision, insight and physical health.

I have spent a long time working “in” and “on” the church. This time away from the “church work” is being spent on “soul work” and “relational work”. I am hoping to see and am already feeling the effects of restoration. The restoration of myself, my soul, my mind, my body and family.

How do you practice restoration?

Reconnect (reestablish, connect again)

One of the main pieces of the Sabbatical plan for me was reconnecting with my wife and children. I have allowed my work to take me away from my family. This Sabbatical acts as a bit of a reset button for that. I am enjoying the time I am having with my wife and children… and we are getting A LOT of time in.

We have every meal together, we literally spend the whole day together… sometimes it feels like to much time. LOL! It has been fantastic. My children are enjoying the things and places I have enjoyed. We have tracked the church from Israel to Rome and continuing on to France and Spain. It is a fantastic way to connect with my family.

I have also enjoyed reconnecting with Summer. Summer and I have a special trip planned together in August, but for now we are enjoying time with the family and together as we process through these last 10 years and next 10 years of ministry work. We absolutely love the people God has put in our lives.

I have also sought a reconnection with the Lord. Church work is very specific. Yes it requires a certain set of skills and education (formal and informal)… but it is still very specific. What I mean to say is church work is not personal soul work. A pastor can easily get caught up in the “job” and neglect his soul. I have not neglected my soul, however, I am seeking reconnection with God in new ways. Please pray for me!

Are you connecting well with your family? With God?

Rejuvenate (give, find new energy)

I am using this time of Sabbatical to find new energy. An energy renewal of the heart, mind, soul and body. Here are some areas I am hoping to find newness in…

Writing.

I love to write. It has taken me a long time to develop this skill, but I have learned to love it. One of the challenges with writing is the time necessary to put together thoughtful ideas I have been praying through and dwelling on. It takes time to wrestle with an idea and prayerfully and thoughtfully engage it.

This time away has been revealing to me my desire to write more.

Leading.

Rejuvenation has lead to see more clearly that I absolutely love leading. I love leading people to the Lord. There is a phrase that has come to mind as of late, it is a familiar phrase and it goes like this “Fortune favors the bold.” This phrase actually comes from a set of phrases, they are, 1) fortune favors the bold, 2) fortune favors the brave and 3) fortune favors the strong. These three phrases come from a Latin proverb. I find it interesting that I write this from Rome… These phrases remind me that leaders have to 1) step out, 2) be willing to take risks and 3) be as ready as they can be.

I love leading where God has given me the opportunity. I am excited about the new opportunities I will be faced with when I get back to work. Please pray for me.

Helping.

When you lead someone to the Lord in their times of breakthrough or struggle, you have the opportunity to watch God do something amazing. You get to be God’s helper… and I love being God’s helper. Helping people fills my tank and I discovering part of my long term rejuvenation is helping others.

This is a brief update on all that is going on. Know that I miss you all, I love you and I cannot wait to see you again. Pray my time with my family, my wife and the Lord will be rich and I will be ready to give my best when I get back home.

With Love,

Assad