Mindy Lee Hopman

“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

His Pace, Not Mine

Our Heavenly Father, the Creator of all things created, knows our hearts better than we know them ourselves. He knows when my pace is not sustainable and He knows what I need to sustain a steady pace in this race called “life.”

…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross… Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

So in His perfect timing, He provided space to refuel, time to reflect, and a moment so that He could refine me for “such a time as this.”

Isn’t that what everything we walk through is really about – refinement?

Sabbatical, what is it?

The word sabbatical comes from the Greek sabbatismos (σαββατισμός), meaning “a Sabbath rest” or “a keeping of Sabbath.”

Before I stepped away, pastors I trust gave me wise counsel:

• Be with the people you love.
• Do the things you love but rarely make time for.
• Spend time in the Word for your own soul, not just to teach others.

So, I unplugged to reconnect with what matters most: faith, family, and friends.

A Quiet Space to Hear Reminders

My sabbatical wasn’t perfectly smooth (life rarely is), but in that sacred space, my Heavenly Father whispered these reminders to my heart:

• I love my people. Every morning, I prayed for those God has entrusted to me, and my heart swelled with a deeper love than I knew was possible. And I love the smiles of my family and friends having FUN!
  
• I love my husband. Stepping away from the work grind and simply being together was refreshing, fun, and something we need to do more often.
  
• I love spending time in the Word. As I sat in His presence, He filled my cup until it began to overflow, and I felt dearly loved. He reminded me I am His treasured possession (segula in Hebrew). In His presence, I found more joy than I thought possible, because in His presence there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).
  
• My Heavenly Father has my best interests in mind. Even when I don’t understand, He is working things out for my good and His glory, because He is thoughtful and intentional about every detail in my life. When I seek Him, He reveals one moment of my story, one page at a time, and for that I am grateful.
  
• My Heavenly Father shares my emotions. He weeps with me, grieves with me, guides me, and rejoices with me, as I do with my own children. He is the good, good Father.
  
• My Heavenly Father commends “patient endurance.” We all need it for the race. Sometimes, He gives us endurance through friends. Who gives you endurance? I have learned I need to surround myself with people who bring me endurance. I am grateful for the people He has strategically put in my circles.
  
• My Heavenly Father calls many, but few are chosen. “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19:9) I loved the Bridal Theology study He took me through. He set my heart ablaze for “Preparing the Bride.”
  
• Sabbatical is about rest and refinement. I can not purchase the “oil” needed for my lamp to be ready for His return. Then, where does the oil come from? The oil comes from a process of holy refinement – grafting, growing, pruning and pressing until all of the impurities are gone and there is nothing left but pure oil. It is a process and the process is hard, but in the end, the pure “oil of gladness” is priceless and beautiful.

…but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

Our Heavenly Father has given me the grace to enter this season of ministry, refined, with a heart overflowing with gratitude. Now, I understand that it is the refinement that leads to endurance.

How can I pray for you? Will you join me this season? We need each other to encourage each other, champion each other, lift each other up and bring the “patient endurance” needed to run together!

Let us run!

Many blessings,