What Is A Christian Sabbatical Or Fast?

Dale & Rena Mae McDonald: Welcome once again to Atlin Family Church and to our YouTube channel, which we simply call Engaged Faith, which is faith and Bible talk for real life. That's what we all experience one way or another. We're on this path called life. So that's what we're here to help with. My name is Pastor Dale. I'm with Atlin Family Church, as you may or may not know. And today we're talking about a subject that you may not have heard, the word sabbatical. It's kind of a fun word to say, ⁓ But what is it? Or what a Christian fast? They're both similar, but they are different. And really more importantly, as a Christian, how do we know to engage in one or the other or which one we should engage in? Again, great questions. We'll be talking about that You may have noticed. least I hope you did. It's been pretty quiet online. We haven't created a new video recently. Even going through Easter, we had a that's my purpose explaining today ⁓ is also a teaching on sabbatical and fasting. We didn't go anywhere. just set apart time God. that's why you haven't heard from us. We haven't had a newsletter put out or any new videos recorded for YouTube channel. it's really important that for anybody, but especially if you're in ministry, when you hear the Spirit of the Lord say, hey, hello, I need your attention, that first of all, we obey. It may not be in our timing. And, I'll talk a bit more about that in a bit, but key to hearing from God is to be quick when we hear voice to obey and to seek him for wisdom, for guidance, ⁓ whatever is that he would really want talk to it's always great when we hear him during ⁓ what we're doing life in ministry, but sometimes he has to say, over here. And that's when we go, ⁓ no, we may have missed you and we have to pivot. that's what we sensing is, okay, something isn't quite right. We know he wants to speak to us. Okay, we're gonna do a sabbatical for however long it takes to hear him to get back where we need to be, which is. in his presence and doing what he has called us to do. like I'd mentioned, if you'd missed us we're wondering what happened to Atlin Family Church. Well, we didn't go anywhere. I'm here to tell you today that here to stay really, we've renewed our energy, our urgency, our passion really an excitement to walk out the plan of God for Atlin. and for Atlin Family Church. So the reason we took a sabbatical, I know you're wondering, it's simple. We were led to take a sabbatical by the Spirit of God. Like I said, obedience, that's the key. We'd simply found ourselves in a period of time that, it seemed to pause in the ministry. The local ⁓ was going, were online, that's all been established. The Word of God was being taught online and locally. Atlin Church was to like, OK, so where do we go from here? It was like a pause in the spirit. So I know I needed God's wisdom on the situation. he spoke to me in that still ⁓ small voice. that's how most commonly it is. ⁓ it's not a booming voice. It's just like, OK, let's do And so as I was seeking him for direction. It was also element that I needed refreshment. And that's ⁓ where getting into ⁓ the part of it. the key is to not burn ourselves out in life or if you're in the ministry, it's to obey when we hear, when we're being nudged, or we hear God's Spirit saying, you need refreshment. You may not be burned out at the time, and we weren't. But the thing is, sometimes you get on a path that you're going down a way that you would get burned out. God would have you go this way and you just take a little bit of a, it doesn't take much, you can be heading for a place of Which, ⁓ eventually would be failure, frustration, and most importantly, it open the door to the enemy in our lives, and none of us want that. So we can't. disregard that invitation to rest in him. I'm so thankful that didn't disregard that. We heard his voice and we were prompt to obey. we have be in his perfect will. We have to be in tune with him. And so we ⁓ immediately. you may ask, the timing was during Easter. which, hey, I questioned it. okay to question God. It's like, are you sure? most people would question, know, hey, this is the biggest time in the in the ministry and for Christians and you're taking a time out during Easter. Yeah, we did. And I'm thankful that we did. You need to take it when it's right for you, when he's calling you to do that, because you will meet God. And that's the main thing that all seeking, obedience, like I'd before, always leads ⁓ to the blessing of God every Every time we act on what we hear the Holy Spirit says, He not only wants the best for us, ⁓ but it's so that we can be a blessing to others. I mean, it's always a ripple effect. It's never, just for us, He fills us to overflowing that we can out. we can only give out what we have in. So that's it's so important when you hear him to say, time out or take a fast. to obey quickly and to follow that leading. It's so important. And we see different examples in the word. referring to the rest get it get ourselves in a position To get rid of distractions to slow it down So that can hear his voice and we can get what he's so desiring for us to hear It's like somebody explained it once. It's a radio. It's always got a signal There's always somebody speaking, but if we have it off tune a little bit we will never hear that message that was designed for us. So if we take our radio and tune it, ⁓ and dating myself, but as you go by the channel, it ⁓ fades again or it gets all fuzzy. And if you go too far the other way, it's the same thing. It has to be perfectly tuned to the channel. And in this case, we have to be perfectly tuned to God's voice. Noise, distraction, just being a little bit off. we can miss the message. that's why we were so quick to obey. ⁓ But Matthew 11, 28 ⁓ to 30, in the Living Translation, this is Jesus Then Jesus said, come to me, all of you who are and carry ⁓ heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke you. Let me teach you, because I am humble. and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Now, there's the key. We can, physically be doing stuff. We can be busy. But if we're not exactly where God wants us to be or the direction that we're to go deep within, we'll know there's there's something heavy on us. There's something weighing on us. It's there's just that freedom. There's not that ⁓ fulfillment. And that's what I was sensing as ⁓ read here, you'll find rest for your souls. ⁓ that is so much deeper than just a nap. It's a ⁓ body experience, mind, will, and that's exactly what we've experienced And going on reading in verse 30, for my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. So true. Another example is Galatians 6 verses 9 through 10, again in the New Living Translation. let's get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially those in the family of faith. So it's a bit of a warning. Don't go ⁓ too on your own. And it's referring to that rest. And for us, it was so refreshing to slow down, to seek God. Not that we don't on a basis, but like I said, there's times ⁓ if he's saying, hey, come here, just, let's have some time together. that's what it was with us. it was a perfect, I don't know, it's not. I don't want to just keep going back. all about the experience. It's about obedience and then the blessing, is indescribable in human words. I, honestly, I didn't realize how much I needed that blessing at this time, how much I needed the rest to refresh my soul. It all fits together, right? I felt the prompting, was seeking him as to Lord, okay, what's going What's in the spirit? I could feel the urgency which I've grown to know not to ignore. we have to be obedient. We have to take that ⁓ step of faith. and do what he is telling us to do so that we're in the best place so that he can work through us. And then we're a blessing to others. it's that simple. ⁓ Isaiah is another example. Verse 31, Living Translation. But those who trust in the will find new strength. That's exactly what we did. And we do trust in the Lord. goes on to read, they will soar high. on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, and they will walk and not faint. So getting back to the sabbatical, did we find direction? Yes. Did we find refreshment? Yes. Did we get than we expected? Yes, again, which is ⁓ our God, right? Now, received complete rest in as I mentioned, a refreshment. It's it's really impossible to describe in words. You know, I've tried. today, but it's going to fall short. I know. Just some of the things as always, preparing this message and to try and express what we've experienced and what can as well, because ⁓ we're not special. We're you know, we a calling on our lives just like you do. We're in a ministry just like he would like you to do. Every Christian has their ministry. And every Christian will experience exact same things that we've experienced as you yourself out there and as you're working with people, the river out, but you need to be putting back in ⁓ and you need that refreshment I've put a few things down just to kind if you're not aware of this or you've not experienced it, a sabbatical and the refreshment, I It's like hearing your loved one's voice after you've been on a trip or a period of separation when you first hear their voice again. It's like a ⁓ recharge for a dead battery. It's filling of an empty tank. You know, that feeling you get. Cleaning, I've got glasses, so you have dirty glasses and you get a cleaning cloth and they're clean. All of a it's like, ⁓ I can see better. It's like a drink of cold water on a hot day, a light in a dark place. experiencing the sunshine after a summer rainstorm, the freshness, the brightness, just renewal. Or if you live in a small cabin like we do, Sometimes it gets a little hot and stuffy. So the refreshment from the fresh air when you open the windows and a breeze blows in off the lake that we live beside. Or here's some more that for me really refreshes me ⁓ is sound summer birds in the And we're just starting to get to experience that now in Atlin. ⁓ I saw my first couple of geese here the other day and here we are. almost the end of April. ⁓ And this morning there was a single ⁓ goose I ⁓ walked on my walk that we checked each other out, know, kind of turns his head towards me. And I've a story I could share with you at some point about a goose attacking me. So ⁓ I respect little birdies. But let's get Green leaves coming out the spring, new grass, you know, after the long Okay, here's one for the guys arriving at your look, your destination when you're on the road trip and you've missed your turn, probably because you didn't look for, you know, get directions or ask your wife to get directions. Rena Mae would say that. Um, but when you finally arrive, it's like, that's the refreshment one way of explaining it. really it's so much more than that because it's spiritual, right? Our bodies are physical when we're refreshed in the spirit, it's much deeper. ⁓ refreshment always great. But we received instruction. surprise. We received direction, renewed passion for Atlin Family Ministry. Not that we were burnt out, like I'd mentioned, but we know there's always more. And that was what I was really sensing that, okay, are we starting down a wrong path or somewhere where we can just a little tweak? having said all that, another unexpected an extra if I may, we received a blessing in our marriage, which was a surprise. we have a great but God is ⁓ more than enough, right? through refreshment, he increased compassion for each other, our passion. And that's all. That's, that's all I'm going to say on that. what it did is it made our marriage stronger, which is so important for an ministry together. If you're married and in a ministry, a strong marriage is number one. Yes, we love God above our spouses, but he put you and your spouse together for a reason. He knew. And part of the plan was you would minister together as a couple. So having a strong marriage equates an effective ministry. You need be on the same page. we weren't off in but he what we did have. ⁓ get back to the teaching. It's sabbatical. ⁓ I know, kind of got off there a I do want to put out there, first of all, sometimes it's better to say what it isn't. wasn't a Christian fast. it was sabbatical as we were led by the spirit. A Christian sabbatical or a fast can happen together or they can be independent. it's just the key again is obedience to do what he's leading to First of all, Christian fast is depriving yourself of something It's usually food or pleasure for a period of time. It's a time set apart to seek the Lord. It usually has the discipline of removing distractions of life ⁓ ⁓ predetermined goal with a focus of direction clarity, maybe a certain situation you're facing. Where a sabbatical ⁓ it's of removing life distractions within the ministry or your career. Like just simply a pause, putting things on hold, maybe your regular responsibilities, and you still have a goal but here it's a goal to rest. It's like a timeout, I guess. typically, a little extra study of God's word, but you your end goal again being to hear from God, both the same that way, but that element of rest is in there as well. and slowing down. with a sabbatical, it's a predetermined time or an undetermined time. You're there for as long as it takes. With us, that's it was. As long as it takes, we need to hear God. We need to find his ⁓ purpose in this. And so we It was, I guess, about three weeks, something like that. the word, ⁓ sabbatical. is derived from the Hebrew Shabbat or Sabbath, meaning to cease to rest. The which I'd mentioned, it usually anywhere from month to a full year. That's totally between you and the Lord. The purpose, it's merely a time off, but time set apart. So it's not a vacation. There is a ⁓ purpose to it. time set apart. So in a professional or academic sense, it's for research rejuvenation. But in the Christian sense, it's about realignment with God. And that's exactly what we went through. Just a realignment, ⁓ checking in, making sure where we need to be. the sabbatical provides the distance from day-to-day life distractions. That's the main thing. You're in an experience that you're purposely waiting, listening to hear God's voice. In our case, ⁓ was regarding the next season of life. we see that, you know, in the word, Jesus frequently withdrew to desolate places to pray. And ⁓ for was, know, as we in the word, it was specifically before major turning points in his ministry. So, you know, we can see by example then that it is important. ⁓ It puts you in to hear. but also in preparedness for what's coming. So, as we've mentioned in other videos, we see the world changing really quickly. seeing a ⁓ falling away in cases of people that were seeking the Lord and, now they're, becoming more vocal in their stepping away and giving up on the Lord. So we know we're getting close, very close to the end to what the Bible refers to as, tribulation. And that's a whole nother subject, but we just know we need to be ready. And that could be why we were led to take this sabbatical just to get prepared for the, for what's coming. could be sooner than we think. Just putting that out there. Jesus, in the Word, he went away, he prayed, he prepared, and then we see in the Word that his ministry changed. it's ⁓ a getting back to the teaching. It's about an encounter with God, and that's certainly what we did. It's, I guess another way put it, intentionally placing ⁓ yourself or ourselves in a position to be restored by the Creator? I mentioned it before, it is very critical for Christians to take a sabbatical at certain times. God will go, tap, tap, tap, tap. And, again, be obedient to that. It is so important that it'll put you in a place like it said, refreshment, awareness, direction, wisdom, whatever it is that we're lacking, we will get it in that. purposeful setting apart to encounter God. it forces a from ⁓ doing for God to simply being with God. So if you're taking ⁓ write that one down. We were, with Atlin Family church, we were for God. And we're doing it I mean, yes, we were doing it in the spirit and everything, but. You know, if you keep doing that you keep adding things to do and ⁓ working on works and stuff, you, find yourself that doing more and more and more through your own energy. And that's when problems start. So a sabbatical forces again, to shift from doing for God to simply being with God. And he does seek that because Christianity's relationship. We've said this before it's not religion wants to develop that relationship with us ⁓ any healthy relationship takes time and it takes devoting your focus on the person or in this case God to develop that So, please don't ignore that if you get that prompting in your spirit Follow it so refreshing again back Atlin Family Church ministry we know we're back and looking forward to the next chapter, of course, with Atlin Family Church. We certainly sense ⁓ that we're forward, that he's got plans coming, that, it's to be drawing people to Atlin Family Church. We're not about numbers. We're about being where God wants them to be so that he can work through them and that... we're all then a blessing to our local community and the people that is in our circle of influence. if you hear that prompting and you ignore it, then you will never be ⁓ in place that he can truly bless you. ⁓ You may some blessing ⁓ simply because you share the word, there's blessing with that, but it will never be the true plan of God that he has for your life. if you're not where he wants you to be planted. Just putting that out there. I mentioned before, there's lots of good works. There's lots of things that need done in our community. But, speaking about ourselves, we're called to do what God has called us to do, and you're called to do what you are called to do. So together, that's what creates the body of Christ. I just want to put it out again and emphasize you are part of the journey for the plan that God has for Atlin as a whole. That's amazing. And it should be exciting to you. Certainly is us. But I do want to remind you, like if you haven't been on our website or haven't heard, what is Atlin Family Church? what is the mission? It's pretty simple. It's based on the word. course. ⁓ I'll just read it Our mission for Atlin Family Church is equip God's people to do his work, to build up the church, which is the body of Christ. And of course, that's based on Ephesians four, verses 11 through 16. And I'll just read it from the New Living Translation. These are the gifts Christ gave to the church, the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and pastors and teachers, that's us, reading on, their responsibility is to ⁓ equip God's people to his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. So, primarily we've received focus, we're called to equip the church to help you with your calling, to, answer any questions to that, maybe. you've struggled with with your walk or with the word. That's what we're called to. So we've received focus ⁓ our calling, which is awesome. So, we're pastors, of So basically life coaches, we're also teachers of the word is ⁓ the second part of our So, that's where it comes that we're to build up the church, the body of Christ. And goes on to read in verse 13. Now at that point, we'll be true Christians, Christ-like, right? Reading in verse 14, then we'll, no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. not be influenced or when try to trick us with lies that, so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly, as each part. does its own special work. And I'd referred to that earlier. I have a calling, you have a calling. You have a ministry, we have a ministry. But he makes the whole body fit together perfectly as each part does his own special work. It helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Amen, amen. when we can be focused ⁓ on what wants us to do, there's a rest in that. We know that there's things in the community that done. ⁓ And, there's people that are to do that. So then it kind of it takes a burden off of us, but we can certainly work together with other people and their callings and then, putting finances together or whatever it takes. That's what creates the body of Christ working stronger together that affects all of the community, which that's his plan. So, again, I'm just putting this out here. ⁓ If felt God trying to get your attention or, you know, ⁓ heard voice ⁓ reminding you of your your ministry, then, let's connect. to our website. ⁓ the best way to get our contact information. But let's have a coffee. Let's see what God wants ⁓ both of us. ⁓ going to be, as connect with you and as you connect with us, it's going to change both of us ⁓ in our callings and ministries together as we go forward. So it'll be forever better. if you have that calling, a ministry or a gift, only you, just going remind you, only you can walk that out for the benefit of the community. And as I mentioned, are here to help you establish that calling. We're here to work together. And really what it's doing is continuing the ministry of Christ here in Atlin. And, you we are also an online ministry. Maybe you would have a part in that through technology or through, I don't know. I'm leaving up to God. Right now, I'm tech guy, doing ⁓ the behind the scenes ⁓ post editing and stuff. But maybe your calling. You know, don't know it. The more people focus on what what their passion is and their calling is, more can be done, because it say video editing or something. that would give me more time to study and to create more teaching. So there you go. Maybe I'm speaking to somebody right now. But overall, Atlin Church is here to serve ⁓ Atlin, our right here in BC. And what we're expecting so now than before the sabbatical is we expecting you to with us so that we can... ⁓ can accomplish his plan together. And like I mentioned, our website's probably the best way to get a hold of us, the best way to keep in the loop, see all ⁓ new videos coming out and the teaching Changing the content a little bit. ⁓ in the future. I'll be adding more short, more just a ⁓ quick message, something to about primarily based ⁓ scripture and comments about it. In way, it's to... take if you don't have that time maybe, you can just put it on the podcast and get those little nuggets of his word. So yeah, we're gonna be changing a little bit that way in the structure. If we have a message that we believe the Lord would have us out there and it ends up being more than 30 to 40 minutes, we'll just simply break it into part one, part two, part three, part whatever. So expect that. So thank you, you I do appreciate all of you that have connected online and through the newsletter If you haven't signed up for the newsletter, I encourage you to go to the website sign up for that to keep you in the loop You'll get news of what's happening within the church it's one way ⁓ to stay connected. ⁓ And now that we're meeting locally, again, Sunday at ⁓ 10am here in our cabin, right here, 4th Street, Atlin, BC. Come on out, have a coffee, tea, love to meet you and go to that next step. So Talk soon.

Galatians 6:9–10