"And All Is Stripped Away"

I've been reflecting on these words from Matt Redman's song 'When the Music Fades'. They pretty much sum up how I've been feeling over the last few weeks. After all the excitement of going away in August, September has been a much quieter and more difficult time for both Andrea and I. It's hard to put into words why it has been difficult and I suppose there are a number of things going on.
Firstly, we are both missing everyone at St Andrew's very much. While we have seen a few people about, it's not the same as seeing people regularly throughout the week.
Secondly, we are missing being involved in the work of the Church. When it has been part of our lives 24/7 for the last 10 years, it is difficult to just have that taken away.
Thirdly, we have sensed God speaking to us about what we should be doing over the rest of the sabbatical and that is different to what we have planned.
So it feels for us like a lot of what makes us who we are has been stripped away and now it is just us and God. Actually, while that sounds great, it is not an easy place to be at. The outcome of this is that we are changing the focus of the rest of the sabbatical. I had focussed a lot on learning from other churches and church leaders (in other words pandering to my need to do stuff!). However, from now on the focus of the next two months for us will be more about being with God and deepening our relationship with him.
In reality the plans we had made will not change much, except for the fact that we will now not be going to California for a conference. I will still be doing a lot of reading and thinking about discipleship and how we 'make disciples'. The main change is the focus or emphasis.
Over the last weekend Andrea went on an 'Encounter' weekend with Frontline Church and had a great time. The weekend deals with all sorts of things that can hinder a persons walk with Jesus - sin, unforgiveness, the demonic etc. - so she's come back a different woman!! I'm planning to go on an Encounter early next year, for my own benefit but also because I believe that there are things we need to learn from these Encounter weekends.