As I sat staring at the waves rolling onto the beach last week, I couldn't help but think about how, even when we have the opportunity to slow down and "relax," the rest of life rarely does. The emails keep coming. Bills still need to be paid. Notifications buzz. Responsibilities wait for us when we return.
It made me wonder: What does it really take to reset? How long does it take to quiet our minds, reconnect with God, and find true peace? There doesn't seem to be a simple recipe.
"Let go and let God" is a common phrase, and for good reason. Yet if I'm being honest, I sometimes struggle with that. Turning off the "what if" thoughts isn't easy. Neither is replaying the interview answer you wish you'd given, the conversation you wish had gone differently, or the impatient response to your child's question. Even with strong faith, letting go can be hard.
Lord of Life has been a constant presence for most of my life, and while my relationship with this church has remained strong, it has also grown and changed. From "Bring a Friend Sunday" and junior high lock-ins to Sunday School lessons and Christmas Eve gatherings, the memories are vivid and meaningful. Through every season, this church has been a place where God continues to meet people exactly where they are.
As we sent Pastor Lowell and the Michelson family off to experience their own sabbatical, it reminded me that Sabbath is so much more than stepping away from the routine. It's about creating space to reconnect—with God, with ourselves, and with one another.
At the same time though, the work of ministry continues. We still needed an incredible team of VBS volunteers—and they showed up in amazing ways. We still need greeters, lay assistants, outdoor worship helpers, knitters, musicians, and countless others who quietly serve behind the scenes.
Perhaps that's part of the beauty of Sabbath. Life doesn't stop. The waves keep rolling in. The emails still arrive. The to-do list may still be waiting tomorrow. But Sabbath reminds us that our worth is not measured by our productivity, and that God remains at work even when we pause.
My prayer for all of us is that we find moments of Sabbath in this busy season—not necessarily by a formal sabbatical, but by making room for God's presence within our lives. Whether that's a quiet morning with coffee and Scripture, a walk in the neighborhood, worship with friends, or simply a few moments of stillness, may we be reminded that rest is not something we have to earn. It is a gift from God, offered to renew our hearts and draw us closer to Him.
Peace and rest be with you
Jillian Campbell