There was a lot going on this week. On my Sabbath, I faced what I considered an “ox in the well” situation (Luke 14:5)—a moment when it felt necessary to make an exception and schedule a call with someone, even though it landed on my Sabbath. I reasoned with myself: It’s a one-time thing. It’s not a regular interruption. This person isn’t even part of my daily rhythm.

But on the morning of my Sabbath, I rethought the decision—and I canceled the call. I asked to reschedule.

Why? Because I realized that even “just this one time” matters.

Life is often lived in the gray. Not everything is clearly right or wrong, black or white. And I believe that’s by God’s design. We are free-willed beings, created to wrestle—not just with good and evil—but with everything in between.

But here’s the caution I want to share:
The phrase “just this one time” can be a red flag.

It’s how addictions begin.
It’s how compromises are made.
It’s how regret takes root.

It often starts with:

• Just this one time I’ll look at that image.
• Just this one time I’ll try that drug.
• Just this one time I’ll message that person.

If you ever hear those words in your mind, pause.
Pray.
Slow down your decision-making.
Bring it into Solitude.

This isn’t about legalism. It’s about wisdom, formation, and choosing a life that is steadily aligned with God—one small decision at a time.

When I sit in my lawn chair facing southwest toward the ocean, I’m greeted by the gentle beauty of the morning. To my left, a mountain ridge hides the rising sun. The sky brightens, but for the first couple of hours—depending on the season—I remain in the shade.

This is my eremos, my quiet place. In the stillness of the early morning, the cool trade winds brush past me, the air is crisp, and the stream behind my house comes alive with birdsong—many birds, many songs, each carried by the breeze through the trees.

God is good.

I don’t take this place for granted. Even on rainy days, I find my spot—sitting on a cushion on the living room floor, next to the sliding glass door adjacent to my normal spot on the lawn—still able to experience God’s daily creation, even if only through the glass.

In every season, this is sacred space.

Our faith is rich with layers of meaning. This is why when you read the Bible multiple times throughout your life you will often see new ways to understand, internalize, and apply the same passage.  In this season of our church, spiritual formation needs a foundation.  This is why we go through the ancient practices of Jesus in 5-week cycles.  We create the space in our lives for the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Jesus.