Sabbath time

A few months ago, I had a dream. Someone was playing the song "My Sabbath Time" to me on the saxophone. I thought and prayed about the dream and soon realised that it would be very good for me to have a sabbath time. Over the last 12 years, I have worked very hard to build up the publishing house and the coaching sector, held seminars and accompanied people. Now my soul needs space to breathe.

The author Eric Metaxas said in a recent interview:

"The possibilities of modern technology have made us incredibly efficient. But the freedom to let our thoughts wander on their own or in conversation has become much smaller as a result. This harbours the risk that we become less creative, less interested and less thoughtful. We need time for conversation, daydreaming and prayer. This is fundamental to understanding God's will in our lives."

I want to take this time now - for three months. We won't be publishing any new titles at the publishing house during this phase - not until spring. And my team will support me as best they can.

I am concerned about two big questions.

What do I do with the time?

I'm used to work structuring a lot of my time. The "Conversations, daydreams and prayers" programme sounds good. I'm still in Berlin now, so there's a lot of tidying up to do...I'll be sorting out a few things that have been left lying around. From mid-November, I'll be on the boat, then with friends...and I'm looking for a good rhythm for this time: conversations, daydreams, prayers....

One thing is clear: I will certainly go for a long walk every day...because it's a wonderful way to unwind...and have a good chat with God.

What do I pack?

Travelling for six weeks in winter and fitting everything you need for this time - from contact lens solution to toothpaste - into one suitcase is a challenge. It means radically reducing: What clothes and shoes do I really need? Which books do I take with me - that's a big question. I don't have an ebook reader or Ipad mini yet, so I still carry reading material around with me on wood....And what music - here too I'm still rather old-fashioned, having my music mainly in the form of CDs. Choosing here, deciding what is most important for this time, is quite challenging.

A Jewish scholar once said that it is within our creative power to consciously organise the Sabbath.... whoever does so acts like God, who shapes and fills time. This is what I want to do in the coming weeks and months...and I am looking forward to conversations, daydreams and prayers....and all the things I will experience inwardly and outwardly during this time.

Interim tenant wanted

I would like to rent out my flat temporarily during my sabbatical (mid-November to the end of January). If you know anyone interested, please contact me.