Both Exodus and Deuteronomy contain the 10 Commandments, and the list in each place is remarkably similar. One of the places where they differ is the word about keeping the Sabbath. In Exodus where God’s people have only just begun their 40-year wilderness journey the reason for this command points back to the creation story of how God rested on the 7th day and therefore blessed that day. One way to think about this is that rhythm of creative work and rest are hardwired into creation itself…perhaps even into God’s very self. In Deuteronomy we find God’s people nearing the end of their 40-year wilderness journey. Here the reason given for the commandment to observe the Sabbath implores them to remember they were slaves in Egypt. As slaves they were given no rest—no Sabbath—and as such the order or cadence of creation was upset. Holding to this command to take a break resets that rhythm.
This time of Sabbatical served as a reset for me as well. I don’t mean to imply that I was driven like a slave in my work pre-sabbatical. Nor am I suggesting whatever burdens I was bearing were anywhere close to the burdens the ancient Hebrew people bore during the 400 years of slavery in Egypt. But this Sabbatical time did offer “a break or change from a normal routine (as of employment).”[1] Additionally, these past three months have given me an opportunity to take in some of the grandeur and beauty of much of the northwest enabling me to experience the rhythm of creation firsthand.
For all this and more, I am beyond grateful. Here are some highlights:
Getting into the mountains for a hike about once each week
Road trips with family
Day hikes alone and with others
Backpacking trip to the Goat Rocks Wilderness with the whole family + a cousin’s family
Epic day hike on the last day of Sabbatical along the Idaho/Montana border (14 miles, 13 mountain goats, 6 lakes, 1 good friend)
Dance lessons with my spouse (talk about learning to get into rhythm!)
Worshipping much more regularly at my home congregation
Attending worship with ecumenical partner congregations
Helping with Fire Camp at Shoshone Mountain Retreat
This Sabbatical time did provide an opportunity for creative work as well. Over the summer I continued with my final couple coaching sessions with a coach from Living Systems based out of Vancouver, BC. I was able to update the Transition Process document for the NWIM Synod. And I created a timeline for Synod Assembly planning.
When Jesus is questioned about the Sabbath at the beginning of Mark’s gospel, he makes it clear that purpose and the intention behind God creating or giving us the Sabbath is that it is to be experienced as a gift. “The Sabbath was made for humankind and not humankind for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) It’s the gift of interrupting the normal routine. It’s the gift of being reset into the rhythm of the created order. It’s the gift of both engaging in creative work along with God and, just as God did, to take a break from that work to rest.
Thank you for this sabbatical opportunity over these past three months.
Gratefully,
Pastor Phil Misner
Assistant to the Bishop
[1] The Merriam-Webster definition of sabbatical, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sabbatical (September 2, 2026).