I don’t know about you, but after the past couple of weeks I’m about done — yet today is the first day of class… so what’s a campus pastor (or student leader) to do?

The reality is that most of us have jumped into the deep-end of activity over the last week or two — which likely entailed a lot of “final prep,” student leader training and new student orientation activities.

As a campus pastor this is one of the most critical seasons of the entire year.

As an introvert it’s one of the most horrific.

And as an introverted campus pastor… let’s just say it’s complicated.

But I’ve got to believe that even for the most extroverted ministers and student leaders among us, the pace and activity level of the past few weeks has left you a little weary and in need of some recovery.

Yet with classes starting, where’s the opportunity?

The reality is that we will have to make it for ourselves.

Rest, margins and self-care are not things our culture values — certain parts of our culture may verbalize that they do, but the reality is that very few places/people practice and model these things.

So we must fight for it!

We must claim it for ourselves!

We must establish some practices here — at the beginning of the new term — that will set us up for a healthy and fruitful few months.

We must find a rhythm that is both manageable and profitable.

So I’m going to take a day off.

Sure, I may miss out on a few opportunities on campus, but I trust that the Lord can remedy that. I also know that I could stand to be still and quiet for an extended period of time — maybe get an extra hour or two of sleep — and of course, enjoy some intentional time with my family.

So how about you?

• What do you do to recover after the tsunami of activities at the beginning of the year?
• How do you model to your student leaders healthy boundaries, self-care and priorities?
• How do you make up for “lost time” with your family?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!