November 14, 2025

November marked my first time back in the office since returning from my sabbatical. It is so good to be back at White Oak worshipping and doing ministry with my church community! To say that my time away at rest was refreshing, rejuvenating, and filling would be an understatement. I am so thankful for a church leadership and family that values sabbath rest as a spiritual rhythm and specifically for our pastoral leadership team. I feel ready, prepared, and strengthened to take on this next season at White Oak.

I’ve spent a few weeks trying to think about how to share with you all that I experienced of God during my time away. I filled a journal with prayers, notes, Scripture, learnings, and experiences. Too much to share in one sitting (or even in a series of articles)! I thought I would start by sharing with you how I spent my time.

I know that sabbath is an important but overlooked spiritual rhythm for busy over-scheduled Christians. I see the many instances in Scripture of Jesus pulling away from the crowds, his friends, or his ministry in order to go to quiet places for rest and time with his Father. He lived his life as a model for our own. Not just that, but our formation into the likeness of Jesus is the work that the Spirit is now doing in all of us who believe. That work draws us deeper into the knowledge and depth of the Father’s heart.

I began August with a plan. I wanted to get the most out of this time, but I also was cognizant of not over-planning and therefore not leaving room for God to do what he wanted with me (which was the entire point and desire)! Here is a glimpse at my plan:

Intentional Time with God: This included, but wasn’t limited to, daily reading through the Psalms, journaling, prayer, times of mediation on Scripture, and fasting. I took two separate retreats with the goal of solitude for listening to God’s voice.

Time to feed my mind: I read several books that ran the gamut of topics from the practice of solitude, the Sermon on the Mount, the Holy Spirit, to others entitled The Deeper Journey by Robert Mullholland as well as The Great Omission by Dallas Willard. I also read a couple of fiction novels just for fun!

I spent a week in Colorado on a retreat with four other pastors with whom I’ve been in a cohort group for the last three years. We encouraged and prayed for one another. It was good for my soul!

Time to care for my body: I probably have never been healthier! I ran several miles a week. I was in the gym four days a week or more. My eating patterns were better. I felt that God gave me the opportunity for a physical re-set of my body and rhythms in my life.

Time to invest in relationships: I had the opportunity to spend time with friends. I took solo trips with each of my children for a day or two hiking, camping, shopping, and eating! I spent a week with Denise in Oregon at a ministry ranch whose goal was to offer a place of rest for ministry families. I visited friends and mentors who are serving in ministry.

Time to be challenged: I also spent a second week in Colorado on a solo backpacking trip. I hiked more than 40 miles that week. I camped in wilderness places. I saw the most beautiful scenery. I experienced wonderful times of rest and sightseeing. I spent seven days by myself reading, praying, meditating, contemplating, listening to God, and worshiping. I felt and experienced the Spirit moving on my life in many ways. He taught me things, challenged me, humbled me, and re-directed me in various ways. I feel so filled.

Though my sabbatical time was full, I also feel refreshed, rested, and filled. It was a beautiful gift. I am so grateful to my God! I am so thankful for his rest, voice, and leading in my life. I encourage you to make intentional time to get away from the flow of life (whether it be for a weekend, a day, a few hours, or 30 minutes before bed) and spend focused time in sabbath rest. Enjoy God. Listen to his voice. Take a nap. Go for a walk. Delight in your Heavenly Father. And, be thankful. It’s out of those times that God so often speaks to his people.

Pursuing sabbath,

Nathan

Nathan Hinkle

Lead Pastor

How Can We Pray For You?