Every year I take a series of days away from the office (for the most part) in order to participate in what I have called “reflection days”. I started this in 2009, at the celebration of my 2nd year of ministry, and I have done it around the anniversary of my ordination and installation at University Lutheran every year since. The different years have been different, but I have always taken this time away for at least a day. 
So naturally, people ask, “What do you do on your reflection days?” I do joke about going into a cave someplace and meditating, but I’ve never done that. I do try to get away from the church building because it helps me to think outside of my normal routines, but it’s usually no more elaborate than a coffee shop or a park.
As I mentioned before, different years are different, but a few things remain the same during these days. The first thing that I make sure to do is pray for an extended period of time (usually 30-45 minutes) a few different times. A lot of this prayer time is also Bible time as I sit down with the Scriptures and let them dictate at least a part of how my heart is engaging with God. Some of this time of prayer is simply with the University Lutheran directory in hand, praying for and in thanksgiving for our members, our guests, and our fellow campus ministries here at FSU. The second thing I do is write a “history” of the year passed, month by month. Every year, I am amazed by how God has moved in University Lutheran both as a congregation and as individuals as I consider the stories of the year gone past. The third thing that I do is read. A part of this time for me is to get outside of my own “ruts in thinking” to consider something else or someone else’s ideas, so I rarely read something theological during this time. The fourth thing that I do is plan. During this time away I usually come up with the bare bones of an annual focus for the upcoming year and I certainly attempt to anticipate any challenges we may meet in the year ahead.
I ask that you would pray for me and pray with me during these coming days (in fact, at time of this being publicized I’ll be half way through). Pray for clarity, but also pray that these reflection days aren’t just about me and/or my activity as a pastor here. Rather, pray that all this brings us together as University Lutheran to new levels of interaction with Scripture, Faith, and Grace, and that we might draw others into the goodness of Jesus Christ, who is our center.