A Time for Doing and a Time for Being // M-Note 6.26.2026

I am going to confess something. Taking time off is hard for me. I know some of you think that sounds wild, but I suspect a few of you understand. First, I love my work and so it is not something I want to escape. Secondly, I like my days to have structure, a plan, and activity. I like to feel like I have accomplished something. Finally, and this one is the most difficult to admit, I have a lot of nervous energy, and work is one way I funnel that energy towards something meaningful. Without work, I tend to drive the people around me, including myself, a little crazy. And what I have learned over the years is that unless I have a reason to take time off, I won’t do it. If I don’t plan something else to do or somewhere else to go, then I don’t miss a weekend. In my 1352 Sundays of ministry, I have missed exactly 1 because I was sick!

So it was with great fear and trepidation that I took some time off this past week, not because I had anywhere to go, or anything to do, but just because I knew that I needed it. I needed the mental break, I needed to tend to some things in our family and at home, and the church (and especially staff) needed a little time to do things without me! I am going to be honest, this past week was hard. Without work, I had to deal with some things I had been procrastinating on, find ways to connect with myself and others that didn’t focus on work, and deal with all that nervous energy. And it was hard! It actually wasn’t that enjoyable. But I do feel as if God was teaching me something.

God is continuing to teach me a few things. There is spiritual value to being alone with your thoughts. With ubiquitous technology and neverending content, we have too many ways to avoid ourselves, and that isn’t healthy. God is reminding me that a rhythm of work and rest actually helps me to serve the church better and longer. Time off teaches me that relationships are easy to neglect and making time to invest in them has to be intentional. God is teaching me that I have some issues with relaxing that I need to figure out! Time off always reminds us that we are never as important as we think we are.

I suppose God knew what God was doing when God instructed us to honor the sabbath, and keep it holy. In this commandment, God teaches us that life is better when there is a regular rhythm of work and rest, time of productivity and time of recreation, time for doing and time for being, a time to focus on activity and a time for relationships.

Maybe taking time off is easy for you. If so, then I am envious, and I hope you continue to enjoy it unapologetically. But if you are weird like me, then maybe you have to be more intentional. Maybe you have to force yourself to stop, and take a little time. And if and when you do that, pay attention to what God is trying to teach you.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and lets worship together this Sunday.

Peace,


Matt

P.S. This Sunday we will end our series Make it Make Cents. Some of you want to get a better handle on how to faithfully deal with finances in your life. Whether you are struggling financially, want to make wise decisions with money you are earning, or want to rethink what you are doing with what you have, there is an opportunity for you. Beginning September 1, The Gathering will have a Faith and Finances class. Led by trained facilitators with experience in both financial and faith settings, this class will help you get your financial house in order, teach you strategies for being more faithful with your money, and help you make intentional and faithful decisions with your finances. You can learn more or sign up here.