Stand Alone Sermons
There and Back Again: Sabbatical Reflections
September 11, 2022 • Rev. James M. Holland • Psalm 92
There and Back Again: Sabbatical Reflections You may recognize the title as something I borrowed from Bilbo. It was the working title of what would later be called, The Hobbit. Bilbo’s journey was an adventure; mine was a sabbatical journey, though it was not without adventure. Adventure because I got lost in the Red River Gorge, met a world-famous artist in the marshes of South Carolina, fly-fished with (to my mind) “the world’s most interesting man” on the Rogue River, saw my wife chase a black bear, and took a seven iron to a water moccasin that was about to strike Addy. It was an adventure because I dipped my feet in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean. I traveled to beaches and mountains, all sharing a sameness but each with its own unique terroir. I experienced why Calvin called the works of God in creation, “a theater of God’s glory”. My time away was not all fun and games, though. With time and space, I was able do something I have longed to do, which was to write. Teri and I agreed that I would spend three to five hours a day writing, so I did, and I am a long way down the road on a theological reflection of the past seven years. This Sunday will be my first time preaching in over four months. It just might be a fiasco— last Monday, my first time smoking meat in over four months sure was! Nevertheless, I can’t wait to be back with you all in Worship. Sunday, I am going to do something I have never done and most likely will never do again: I am going to talk about what God has taught me during this time of going fallow. I am using Psalm 92, which is called, “A Song for the Sabbath” to help gather my thoughts and reflections. I also will share some of the breathtaking beauty that was, for me, an essential part of my time away. The title of the sermon this week is important. I realized during my wandering that what Tolkien says, “All those who wander are not lost,” is true. The “there” was awesome, meaningful, and restful because—for me, at least —there is a “back again.” A little more than three months in, I told Teri, “I am about ready to be home.” So here I am and so thankful for the family of St. Patrick. The gift of this sabbatical for me and my family was immense, and my hope and prayer is that it will bear much fruit for all of us. I can’t wait for Sunday and hope to see you there. Oh, and if you are new, join me Sunday at 9:15am for our Inquirer’s Class where I will introduce you to St. Patrick and explain why I am so glad to be your pastor. Blessings, Jim