Divinity School Blog #6: 3-17-2025

“It is early in Lent and already I see that as Easter people the signs are all around us that we, as Christians, are in a spirit of quiet expectation. Perhaps this year you chose to do something during Lent that gives you more grace, or perhaps this year you gave rest to a practice for 40 days. Perhaps you did neither and thoughtfully chose to be more present in your activities a little more each day. 

At Duke Divinity School our Dean, Edgardo Colon Emeric is holding office hours – both in person and over Zoom for hybrid Master of Divinity students like me – so that he can be more present with his students. More present. Here is a theme that I’m hearing more, which is a beautiful sign I am receiving from my Creator to which I should try to pay more attention.

I have come to the point in my life when the sacred Sabbath, or one day per week that I set aside for rest and also for freedom from electronic devices, becomes a day that I intentionally try to be more present. I find the practice helps me to be more present during the other days of the week with friends, families and others. Being present to me means stopping more, noticing more, showing grace and gratitude more, and just being…more. On this last point I have to remind myself that turning off the desire to accomplish and just spending time in communion with God is a gift for both of us. Do you recall a time when someone showed up on your doorstep unannounced and the time you spent together was rich with joy, love, and laughter unexpectedly? My guess is that it was a bright spot not only for that day, but for days afterward. I have to also remind myself that God wants the same from us and when we set aside sacred Sabbath for Him, he gets to celebrate alongside us with a deep joy, much like we feel ourselves. 

Here’s an example of how a day might look on my typical Sabbath: 

• Wake up and pray, including praises of gratitude for my many blessings
• Have a cup of coffee and read some Scripture
• Attend service and enjoy fellowship with my church
• Visit someone I haven’t seen in some time
• Go for a walk in nature, regardless of the weather conditions
• Write poetry that helps me to discover things God is sharing with me
• Spend some time in centering prayer or meditation to grow close to God
• Read something inspirational – which may or may not be for divinity school
• Perform a brief “Examen” spiritual practice and note where God showed up

If your response to this is “I would never have the time to do that” then perhaps you can participate in a portion of a day like this. But I guarantee if you work up to a full day (and I try for 24 hours of device-free time each week) I promise that you will be lighter, more creative, more alert, more present and more loving. 

As I balance full-time work, full-time school and obligations for my family and friends, this Sabbath exercise can be hard, but it also is a “reset” for me weekly, and God asks us to keep holy the Sabbath so that we can be at our best. Quickly you would find that you need this time as much or more than the activities that can rob your soul. To be more present is a gift, and one that God loves when we accept with a joyful spirit.”