Resistance came in many forms this week. The things that felt urgent and time-sensitive pulled me in first thing in the morning, demanding my attention. But these activities came at a cost—it took me much longer to fully enter into my Sabbath and solitude this week.
My practice is to begin Sabbath with 15 minutes in the yard, coffee in hand, watching the sun rise, simply sitting and waiting upon the Lord. But when my mind is cluttered with tasks and responsibilities, it becomes harder to quiet my heart and be fully present with God.
This week was a reminder that Sabbath and solitude require intentional preparation—not just physically stepping away but also learning to release the mental distractions that can keep me from true rest in Him.
I spent extra time waiting upon the LORD this week because it was harder for me to enter the Solitude on my Sabbath. Then I heard this in my spirit: “I have prepared you for this time.”
This is what I felt the LORD say to me this week. Then, He reminded me of the heart I’ve always had for others—even as a kid.
I thought back to our recess football games in elementary school. If I saw a classmate standing alone or a new student trying to fit in, I made sure they were included. I’d throw them a pass—so others would see them, acknowledge them, maybe even cheer for them. Looking back, yeah, I guess I did that.
Later in high school I moved between different groups—intellectuals, jocks—bringing tables together, creating connection between the cliques. It was about the principle of Unity. One Family. More than just one team, but a vision of something bigger than a team.
That same heart is what drives me today—to bring people into community, into family. To encourage each other to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what He did. And it all starts with what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, the very foundation of our life statements at Formation Church:
Denying self. Surrendering fully. Following daily.
This is the call. This is the way.
This week, I finished Dallas Willard’s Divine Conspiracy, Rob Reimer’s Soul Care, and Pastor Rob Gross’ You’re My Bambino. Each of these books has been deeply impactful, but my reading journey continues with my other “companions”—R. Robert Mulholland, Sam Storms, and Michael Heiser, among others.
One book, in particular, is blowing my mind—Michael Heiser’s The Unseen Realm, which was recommended to me by Pastor Dean Fujishima. It’s challenging and expanding my understanding in ways I didn’t expect.
Through these books, I continue to experience God’s nearness. Each one offers fresh insight and deeper connection, drawing me further into His presence.