by Emily Garrett Peña
In March 2020, Colombia entered a strict quarantine that lasted five months. Together with my husband, most of our ministry work stopped (at least until everyone got used to virtual counseling and teaching). Three months later, God surprised me by reawakening a ministry passion that I thought had died. It turns out it had been dormant for a few years; but during lockdown, it suddenly came forward again, ready to mature and develop as the Lord leads.
“The Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:11
In God’s creation we see the need for times of rest to optimize fruitfulness. In winter, trees stop photosynthesizing and spend a few months preparing for the next year’s growth and productivity. Hibernating she-bears wake up to give birth to their cubs. Come springtime, we will rejoice to see greening forests and baby animals alongside their mothers, but the preparation for this productivity occurs during the deliberate pause of winter!
Science tells us that downtime is essential for physical health, mental wellbeing, and creativity. When God commanded his people to observe the rhythm of a weekly Sabbath and several yearly festivals, He was teaching us to care for ourselves, as well as honoring Him and remembering that He alone is our Provider. The Sabbath was made holy – “set apart” as unique and life-giving. The command to rest from our work and to spend time enjoying the goodness of God reflects our Creator, who rested on the seventh day and enjoyed everything good that He had made.
Are you intentional with your Sabbath practice? Whether you have been busier than ever or have felt like you came to a grinding halt during this pandemic, building deliberate rhythms of rest, gratitude, and joy are not only a Biblical mandate but also great for you, your relationships, and the ministry God has entrusted to you! What dreams or projects might God be gestating inside you, waiting for some rest-time to bring them to life? How might taking a break from your work prepare you for greater effectiveness and productivity in the Kingdom?
Over the past months, I have had the privilege of initiating a support group for foster and adoptive parents in Colombia. God opened this opportunity for me to be involved in meeting the great need that thousands of children have here by supporting, equipping, and recruiting families. It is a small thing, but if it weren’t for hearing the Lord’s voice in a season of stillness, my passion for abandoned children would still be buried.
Why not pull out your calendar now and schedule some unscheduled time? What will be life-giving for you? How can you reflect on and honor God’s goodness and sovereignty by “setting apart” the Sabbath as part of your weekly schedule? While you’re enjoying your free time, He might surprise you with an unexpected message!
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Emily Garrett Peña, along with her husband, Julio, are retreat leaders in training and a valued part of SonScape’s team in Colombia, South America. They spent a decade serving kids at risk as house parents and currently teach and counsel around Latin America. The Peñas live in a small, mountain town near Bogota, Colombia, with their teenage son, Jorge.
Our Colombian Team
(Emily and Julio in top right of picture.)