Sabbatical Periodization 30Mar26

30Mar26

A six-month sabbatical may be trifurcated into periods of:

decompression

deliverables

decisions.

Decompression: 

Four to six weeks are scheduled to discover and rediscover how the heart sings.  

Scripture: Genesis 4:16

Cain left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, but a sabbatical includes the Land of Not:

Not worrying about work

Not commuting or telecommuting

Not producing

Not checking email

Not calling, texting or following up

Not setting an alarm clock.

Cain had to trust God's mark as sufficient to preserve life. Similarly, accepting the Lord's invitation to, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," is an act of faith. Cain failed to merit protection, yet God graciously marked him. Sabbatical entitlement can pitch toward merit and away from God's gracious offer to, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Framing sabbatical as the Lord's gift, instead of an entitlement, has been helpful. Strategies for planning the implementation of a sabbatical are available here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What do I do in the Land of Not?

How do I deal with guilt or anxiety over not working?

What if I get bored?

What if I don't want to go back to work?

 

Deliverables:

After four to six weeks in the Land of Not, twelve weeks are scheduled to cultivate useful outcomes for the sabbatical.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Paul encouraged readers to be ambitious [strive earnestly] to work [be ergonomically industrious] to have something to share with others in need. Questions to consider before and during the deliverables stage include:

What skill have I always wanted to enhance / develop / learn?

Is there a class, lecture or learning experience that interests me?

What is one amazing outcome that my extended effort can produce? 

What is another amazing outcome that extended effort can produce?

Finish the sentence, "I've always wanted to..."

A deliverable period is used to change a longing or two into reality. A resource for the deliverable portion - if you decide to craft your sabbatical in such a way - is available here.

Resting includes facing the lies and difficulties that career busyness helps to hide. When still and alone, sabbath can include the heart work of forgiveness, the head work of separating worth from career and the handiwork of filling days with meaning. Inviting an advisory board to pray alongside can help balance leisure with useful outcomes.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What if I want to keep vacationing and eating bonbons?

Why produce anything if sabbatical is about resting?

Decisions:

After twelve weeks in pursuit of restful meaning, six sabbatical weeks may be spent contemplating next steps. 

Scripture: Matthew 5:37

Jesus issued a 'yes / no' pattern that is echoed in James 5:12. Questions to consider during the decision stage might be:

Am I going back to work?

If not, what am I going to do?

If so, does anything need to change?

What helpful habits and patterns will I continue after the sabbatical?

Deciding how life and work might change can be difficult or exciting. Working with your advisory board to implement changes can help. If you're going back to the same job, a resource to consider is available here. If thinking about moving on, consider a perspective.