Recently, I was struck by a quote from theologian Howard Thurman used in an advertisement for the upcoming retreat style conference Rhythms of the Spirit to be held at Canonicus Camp & Conference Center in August.

Thurman was quoted as saying, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

When I read that quote I felt something light up within me as if a still small voice was speaking to me directly, “Barbara, ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.”

And, I wondered, what would happen if I took Thurman’s words seriously and pursued that course of action in my upcoming Sabbatical, August-October of this year.

I took a Theology course based on Thurman’s writings at Andover-Newton Theological School under the inspiring tutelage of Dr. Kirk Byron Jones. And, I remember many wise and beautiful things Thurman said such as:

“There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have. And if you cannot hear it, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls.” And, “There must be always remaining in every life, some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which in itself is breathless and beautiful.”

I don’t know about you but sometimes I get so caught up in the busyness of life, the type of soul-care Thurman alludes to is the last thing on my list of priorities. There’s not always a lot of time for waiting and listening for the sound of the genuine in myself or to discover some place that leaves me breathless.

Therefore, I have decided to begin my Sabbatical by attending the Rhythms of the Spirit conference. My prayer is that when I return to you after my Sabbatical, I will be so genuinely alive; you and I will hear the angels singing together in a new and living way.

Gracefully yours,