It’s Monday morning and I am sitting in my office being inefficient, on purpose. There are invoices, receipts, new guest cards, attendance sheets, and a call-list covering my desk. These things need to get done, but I can’t get to them yet. They can wait, but this hour cannot…

My Selfish Hour

This selfish hour is the best way I know of to begin my week. Sundays are chock full of people, worship, and meetings. Before I let the work-week pull me under, I push back against the tide and make space between last week and this week. In this hole between two weeks I find holy time for growth and restoration. This is my time to piece my tattered self back together.  I didn’t realize until recently how much the busyness of Sunday tears and frays my sanity or tilts me off center. It took me eleven years to see that all that ministerial work took a toll on me. Sunday mornings were not my respite; they were my toil. Which is okay, when you realize it. For countless other folks with other weekday obligations and schedules, Sundays are the blessing, but not for me (even extroverted me). I needed something else to patch together purpose. 

My Feeding Time

Monday mornings are my weekly “clean meal.” It’s not my time to study for sermons. It’s not personal devotion time. Monday mornings are opportunities to eat well. I have to feed my soul. If I don’t eat well then I get “hangry.” Scripture, spiritual reflections, and guided prayers are all part of this Monday morning practice. It is a chance to make a time that could appear inefficient as important and centering. I am adrift without it. 

My Centering Study

Yes, there are other times in the week when I pray, read, and study Scripture, but this selfish hour is mine to steal away before the rest of my busy week takes me. It is a chance to remember who called me and worry less about my call log. It is my hour of ministry before I am asked to minister. This first hour of the week is my opportunity to choose faithfulness and fullness over work, a chance to savor what kind of new creation I am becoming. My hour to be empowered. My small rebellion against expectations to be intentionally inefficient to learn more about who I am in order to be more effective. 

Maybe this is you. Maybe it’s a different time or practice. When do you redirect your week? Center yourself?  Rediscover your true vocation? 

Cheers to intentional inefficiencies.

Recommended Books:

Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer

Beginnings by Steve Wiens

The Book of Psalms by Robert Alter

Rising Strong by Brene Brown

About The Author: Zac Workun

Workun has been a youth minister for the better part of the 21st century. He currently serves in Tulsa. Zac is a voracious reader, avid gamer, amateur writer, car-camper, folk musician, coffee-drinker, beard aficionado. He is also a true enneagram 7 and an ENFP all day, he is already excited to hug you and affirm your life goals.