“STOP AT THE HOSTEL”

Monday, October 24th, 2022

Written by Rev. Mark Muckler

SCRIPTURE

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

Many years ago, while in college, I enjoyed hiking a little over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail, also known as the “A.T.”. Since then, I’ve been blessed to enjoy much smaller sections of the A.T. from time to time. The A.T. is a hiking trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine, a little over 2,190 miles. Avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts “through-hike” the entire trail which can take anywhere from five to six months or more to hike it in its entirety. There’s lots of planning that goes into preparing for such an adventure; researching and purchasing all the gear, making travel arrangements and plans to be away from work, or school, and family and friends. Preparations are made for how many miles each day one will hike before setting up camp each night. Some hike with others, while others hike the A.T. alone, though not without having a support system back home to check in on them. Meal planning is on the list as well. Packages with supplies are mailed to a small town close by where hikers can stop and pick up food, or first aid supplies, or replacements for gear, etc. Along the way, through-hikers will often stop at what is called a “hostel.” A hostel is simply a shared place of lodging for rest, providing a bed to sleep on, a shower, a kitchen, and often other travelers needing rest as well. Then, having stayed for a night or two, or three, hikers will venture back out onto the trail for several days or weeks at a time. All along the Appalachian Trail there are hostels for hikers to rest and be strengthened and obtain the supplies needed to continue along on the trail. I've known several friends who had originally started the long hike, but became weary and tired for whatever reason, and simply just returned home.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

As ministerial professionals who have been called to follow and serve Christ, walking this glorious life-long journey of pastoral ministry, it is vitally important to be intentional about all the preparations for such a calling to live and lead a healthy, well-rested, equipped, and Spirit-filled life. We all need times of rest and renewal, to be recharged and encouraged in our relationship with Christ. We need to be reminded of our own calling from time to time, to regain our strength, and to drink deep from the well-spring of life. It's hard to keep going when we’re tired, physically achy or mentally stressed. It's hard to keep going and going and going when we're feeling warn out, burned out, or even exhausted.

We all need sacred rhythms of rest and renewal for our own formation. As you look forward to the Advent season and are planning for the New Year that will be here much sooner than later, be encouraged to set some time aside for yourself. Take good care of your soul. Plan to take your Sabbath regularly, and take at least a day or even two days off every week. Pause to take time to be refueled and renewed. Plan ahead to take several days off monthly and quarterly for times of personal renewal. You may even need to schedule and plan for a Sabbatical leave lasting several weeks or even months away for refreshing, healing, and renewal, and that IS ok.

Unfortunately for many, because of such exhaustion, they abandon such a calling either willfully or even forcibly because of extenuating circumstances or a moral failure. Trying to simply cope with the day-in/day-out demands of pastoral ministry can be quite the challenge if you don't plan ahead for the life-long journey. If you don’t take good care of yourselves, you’re likely to burn out, get exhausted, and perhaps even abandon the “trail” of ministry altogether.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank You for the beauty of Your creation. Forgive me for not being more intentional about taking better care of myself as you have called me to take good care of others. Remind me to take time for my own inner spiritual journey with You. O Lord, provide me with supportive persons who understand the need for the refreshing of my own soul. May those closest to me; my spouse and/or family, encourage me to take such time for myself. And may the people I serve, be understanding when I plan ahead to take such time. Thank You in advance for providing such persons in my life. Thank You for Your call upon my life. Continue to be my guide, my sustainer, and Lord. I humbly pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. – AMEN .

APPLICATION / RESOURCE

Be encouraged to plan ahead some time to break away for your own renewal. If you would like suggestions on where to go, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We have lots of great recommendations for self-guided space and time away. May God continue to bless you and keep you on your journey of faithful discipleship.

We are also planning a winter retreat in January of 2023. Bring your spouse, your family, or simply come alone to be refreshed and renewed.

https://www.harveststoneministries.org/retreats