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Time For a Radical Sabbatical?
Volume 7.7 | August 2010
6 Signs You Need a Sabbatical
 by Laurie Cole, Founder & President
Do you need a sabbatical – maybe even a radical sabbatical? Get ready for a little self-diagnosis by discovering the six signs you need a sabbatical and by meeting someone who exhibited all six of them.
Elijah was a powerful prophet of God, but he was also “a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17 NASB). I believe God inspired James to pen that description of Elijah because He wanted us to know that even prophets are human. Does that make you want to give God a hug or what? God even recorded the explicit details about Elijah’s humanness in 1 Kings 18-19 (I highly recommend that you read it).
After experiencing one of the greatest, most glorious victories any prophet ever had, Elijah experienced one of the fastest free falls of all time. If anyone ever needed a radical sabbatical, it was him. As I studied 1 Kings 18-19, I saw six signs in his life to help you diagnose whether or not you just might need a sabbatical, too:
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- Spiritual weakness. Common symptoms are increasing levels of fear, discontent, and irritability coupled with decreasing levels of faith, joy, and power over sin. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah was full of faith and power as he confronted and defeated 450 prophets of Baal. Yet, only one chapter later, Elijah’s faith in God melted into fear and powerlessness. Can you relate to Elijah? Are you fearful, irritable, and spiritually puny?
- Emotional depletion. Common symptoms are discouragement, depression, and tearfulness. A dark cloud of heaviness and hopelessness overshadows you. On the heels of his greatest triumph, Elijah became so discouraged and depressed that he prayed and asked God “that he might die” (1 Kings 19:4). His life and his circumstances appeared hopeless, and he felt as if he couldn’t go on. Emotionally, Elijah was on fumes. How are you doing emotionally? Are dark clouds of discouragement doing you in?
- Physical exhaustion. Common symptoms are lowering energy levels and growing health problems. You feel like your body is crashing. Even everyday tasks are challenging. When Elijah arrived in the wilderness (1 Kings 19:4-6), he was maxed-out physically. He slept for days. God even had to dispatch an angel to wake and feed him (Just think, our great God catered meals to a fearful, depressed, burned-out human – makes you want to give God another hug, huh?). How are you doing physically? Are you worn out and weary?
- A desire to run away from everything and everybody. Common symptoms are stress, stress, and more stress. Your circumstances seem suffocating and your responsibilities feel relentless. As a prophet, Elijah had to confront and proclaim God’s Word to people who, for the most part, hated his guts – a high-stress job, indeed. And when Queen Jezebel issued a death threat against him, his stress level rocketed. Elijah’s response? He ran far, far away (1 Kings 19:2-3). Is stress mounting, building, and piling up in your life? Do you daydream about running away from it all?
- Too little time spent with godly, replenishing people. Common symptoms are feelings of isolation and loneliness. Although you may have gobs of people around you, meaningful conversation, encouraging fellowship, and good ol’ fun and laughter are far too infrequent. In this season of his life, Elijah had no true peer. And when he arrived in the wilderness, he was completely alone (1 Kings 19:3-4). Are you lonely? Do you hunger for the joy and encouragement of a true and trusted friend?
- Too much time spent with ungodly, depleting people. Common symptoms are worldliness and an increasing tolerance for sin (1 Cor. 15:33). Or, as in Elijah’s case, symptoms may also be a martyr’s complex. Elijah lived in a sin-soaked society led and largely populated by idolaters. Surrounded by such an immoral majority, Elijah lamented (it’s what martyrs do best) that he was the only faithful, God-worshipping person on the planet (1 Kings 19:10-18). Of course, he wasn’t. He was just feeling sorry for himself (another things martyrs do well). Are the people you spend most of your time with draining the living life out of you? Is “poor, poor, pitiful me” becoming your theme song?
If you answered yes to some of the questions above, then you likely need a sabbatical. But if you answered yes to most of the questions, then you, my dear sister, may be an excellent candidate for a radical sabbatical.
So, what is a sabbatical? I define it as a season of rest, replenishment, and renewal that results in revival. That’s exactly what Elijah experienced. And if you’re wondering how long a sabbatical takes, I’d say it depends. If you’re exhibiting just a few of the signs/symptoms, it may take anywhere from a day or two up to a week or two (a regular sabbatical). If, however, you’re exhibiting most (or all, yikes!) of them, you may need a two-week to two-month sabbatical (a radical sabbatical).
Recently, I asked my Facebook friends to complete the following sentence: I know I’m maxed out and about to burnout when ____________. Their responses were so honest and real. They reminded me of Elijah. They also reminded me of ... well, me.
Several years ago, I arrived in my very own personal wilderness. I was whooped in every way possible. I was alone, afraid, and I’d mastered the martyr’s mantra. I was a mess. Then guess what God did. He hugged me. And through His Spirit and His Word, He fed and visited me, too. He even sent a few “angels” (godly people) to encourage and pray for me. Little by little, my wilderness became a radical sabbatical of rest, replenishment, renewal, and full-fledge revival.
Do you need a sabbatical – maybe even a radical sabbatical? If so, then remember this: the same God who wants you to know that even prophets are human, knows you’re human, too. He’s watching as you struggle in the wilderness of your weariness. He’s extending His nail-scarred hands as He invites you to, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” By faith, reach out. Hug Him back . . . because that’s how a sabbatical begins.
Resting in Him, your sister,
Email Laurie |
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A Dinner Party Must Have!
 Having “dinner” sounds rather mundane, but having a “dinner party” sounds fabulously fun, doesn’t it? That’s why, when we first saw this beautiful Scripture dinnerware, we just knew we had to share it – because it has the potential to transform any ordinary dinner into a memorable dinner party!
In many ways, that’s how our Priority Partners affect our ministry too. Their generous support and gifts take our simple ministry efforts and transform them into changed lives around the world!
So it seems only fitting that we set aside these beautiful Scripture dinnerware gifts exclusively for our special Priority Partners. Wouldn’t you love to use these at your next Bunko night or Canasta evening? If you’re not yet a Priority Partner, you can become a Partner today with your monthly gift of any amount! Who will you invite to your next dinner party?
Priority Ministries is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization.
All gifts received are tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.
*Current Priority Partners: How are you using your Scripture dinnerware? Click here to tell us about it – and feel free to share photos as well! |
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Glo Girl Goodbye
 Sensing God’s divine leadership and perfect timing, Debbie Todd is stepping down from her staff position with Priority Ministries. Many of you know and love Debbie, and many of you have prayed faithfully for her and her husband, Bill, since he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. We are very thankful to report that Bill is doing great, and Debbie’s decision will allow them to enjoy more time together.
For 4 years, Debbie has served as Priority’s Director of Stewardship & Support. God has used her vision and willingness to launch, build, and oversee our Partner program enabling us to take God’s Word to women everywhere and to encourage and equip them to give Him priority. If you’re a Priority Partner, you’ve probably met Debbie in person or visited with her by phone, and you know firsthand how friendly, loving, and dedicated she is.
An artist at heart, God has greatly used Debbie’s creativity and eye for artistry through Priority. In fact, Debbie had a big hand in the cute “glo girl” redesign and artwork in this very newsletter. And her artistic touches are all over our Beauty by The Book and Beauty by The Book for Teens Bible studies. She also served as our set designer for the videos for these studies. Debbie’s enthusiasm and creativity have enhanced our website, newsletters, Bible studies and, truly, in too many other ways than we can count.
Although the past year has been the most challenging year of her life, we have witnessed Debbie glo big time. She loves the Lord. Her faith in Him is firm. And her joy is absolutely beautiful. To say that we will miss her is an enormous understatement. To say that we (and we trust you, too) will continue to pray for her and Bill is a privilege and a promise.
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Waiting on God
by Emily Ryan, Executive Editor
 A few weeks ago, I traveled to Dallas to don a beautiful bridesmaid dress and stand beside my college roommate, Jennifer, as she married the man of her dreams.
Finally.
I say finally because for years, Jennifer was the one catching the bouquet at weddings instead of the one throwing it. In her closet were at least seven bridesmaids dresses, but she admits she stopped keeping track a long time ago. Instead, as she watched friend after friend say, “I do,” all she could say as she closed her eyes in prayer each night was, “I want to!”
At last, “her turn” began. She met Kevyn through eharmony in September, fell in love in a matter of weeks, and was planning her own wedding a couple of months later. And as I stood beside them as they began their lives as husband and wife, I realized that God was not only glorified because she waited on Him, He was also glorified in how she waited on Him.
Most of us are waiting on God in some area of our lives as well. So here are five tips on how to wait on God straight from the Bible and straight from the life of a beautiful bride:
- Wait with honesty and without whining (1Pet. 5:6-7; Num. 14:26-27)
God never asks you to anesthetize your emotions, but He does require that you reconcile your desires with His will. So pour your heart out to Him honestly, but don’t resort to whining like a child when the answer is still, “Not now.”
- Wait with prayer and without ultimatums (Psa. 5:3; Isa. 26:8)
So many times, I see people wait patiently on God and turn to Him in prayer…for about a month or so. Then, if situations still have not changed, they turn to Plan B and take matters into their own hands. Don’t have a Plan B. Waiting on God is not something you simply try out for a season.
- Wait with thanksgiving and without envy (Phil. 4:6; Prov. 14:30)
It’s hard to thank God for your circumstances when they are not what you truly desire. But what’s even harder still is thanking God when He’s blessing someone else with your greatest desire. A thankful heart is the key to waiting on God, and celebrating in the blessings of others is the key to a thankful heart.
- Wait with God’s Word and without compromise (Psa. 130:5; Gal. 6:9)
When you wait on God, there is no doubt that Satan will use that time of transition to tempt you with second best. Know God’s Word inside and out so you can recognize compromise and flee from it before you settle for less than God’s best for your life.
 Wait with service and without loitering (Mat. 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27)
Waiting on God does not mean that you have to be inactive. In fact, while you’re waiting on God in one area of your life, it’s often the best time to serve God in another area. Don’t waste this precious time of waiting. Instead, wait on Him (serve Him) while you wait on Him.
So whatever you’re waiting for today, follow the advice of David and keep waiting! “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14). Is it easy to wait on God? Not necessarily. But is it worth it? Absolutely! And I believe Jennifer (and Kevyn) would agree.
Click here to email Emily |
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Priority Passage of the Month
(Don't forget! Click the Scripture above to view a printable format.)
Would you like to see your favorite Bible verse featured as printable Scripture art in an upcoming You Glo Girl! issue? Email Emily today, and then look for your favorite verse in the months to come! |
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Priority Prayer Points
by Nancy Campbell, Prayer Director
- We’re in the final editing stages for the Beauty by the Book for Teens workbooks. Please pray that the final product will be glorifying to God, inspiring to teens, professional and error-free.
- We still need Priority Partners who will join with us in ministry to help with the financial side of producing a brand new Bible study. Please pray that those whom God prompts to give will do so generously.
- Continue to pray that God would bless our marketing efforts with many orders for Priority Bible studies. And pray that those orders would result in changed lives!
Can we pray for you too? Email Nancy Campbell, Priority’s Prayer Director, and let us partner with you in prayer!
Email your request to Nancy |
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Still Looking for a Great Fall Bible Study?
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Perfect for individuals or small groups, purchase Priority Bible studies in our
online store or by calling our toll-free number.
Call toll free
1-877-723-4402 |
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Glo-ing at Home
 by Jan Hart, Administrative Support
During the summer months, I often find myself reminiscing about my childhood. Every summer I spent precious weeks with my grandmother, and you long-time “glo-girls” know that she was the apple of my eye. She taught me so much about life and practiced unconditional love 24/7. Plus, she had a huge garden every season. We spent hours during my visits “working” the garden, and I loved every minute of it. I never thought of it as work! I learned so much about God’s creation and His provision from working alongside her. Oh, how I yearn for the children of today to truly experience God’s creation and the wonderful food He has provided.
What a great adventure it would be to find a local Farmer’s Market and take your children on a field trip. Not only would they see every conceivable fruit and vegetable, but they would be able to interact with the very people who grew and harvested the food. Every time I go to a local market, I get an education – it is fascinating to me! If you do not have a local market near you, grab the new cookbook, Southern Living Farmer’s Market Cookbook. This is a beautiful book and will truly make you feel as if you spent the day at market.
If you are fortunate enough to go to the market, why not pick up some fresh apples and try this wonderful, easy apple pie. It would be a super-fun afternoon project with your children plus a delicious dessert.
Click on the recipe below to print!
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Gotta Glo
If God is calling you to rest in Him, we’re praying that you get some downtime with Him this month! And if you’re feeling restless from waiting on Him, we’re praying this will be a great time of growing in His Word and ministering to others. Until next time, know that we love you, glo girls! And also know that we’re cooking up something extra special for next month’s issue! You won’t want to miss it!
Gotta glo for now!
Your Priority sisters,
Laurie Cole, Pam Henderson, Shanda Stiles, Jan Hart,
Stephanie Cole, Nancy Campbell, and Emily Ryan
Priority Ministries Staff |
“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart…soul…(and) mind.” Matt. 22:37
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” Matt. 6:33
Contact us at
www.priorityministries.org
Priority Ministries
711 West Bay Area Boulevard Suite #214
Webster, TX 77598
832-632-2197
Priority Ministries is a 501(C)3 non-profit ministry.
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