Let’s be honest: pastoring is demanding.

Between sermons, counseling sessions, committee meetings, and the ever-present needs of your congregation, finding a moment to breathe can feel like a luxury. Yet, amidst the whirlwind, haven’t we all felt that yearning for a deeper connection with God? That which called us to this work in the first place? What which we wanted our lives to be about?

But, in modern life, and in modern church life, in the midst of Bible studies, prayer groups, and outreach programs, not to mention session meetings, the idea of connecting with God can often seem like a luxury, rather than a given. It is as though the faster we move, the harder we push, the more elusive that connection seems.

Now, I know this might sound like a strange segue, but hear me out: horses. For the past few years, I have been on a rather deep dive in the equine world. Through that, I have begun to find solace and a unique form of spiritual renewal in spending time with these magnificent creatures.

In the horse world, there’s a constant buzz about “connecting” with your horse. So many people are seeking connection, longing for connection. Yet, the irony is, we humans often struggle with true connection. We talk, cajole, and exert dominance, all in the name of “connection.” Here’s the thing I’ve learned: horses, on the other hand, are masters of connection. It comes naturally to them.

Imagine this: you’re on horseback. There’s a physical space between your heart and the horse’s; almost a straight vertical line between the two. Visualize that line as a hollow tube connecting your two beings. Now, picture yourself constantly trying to “connect” by sending information, instructions, or even anxieties down this tube. What happens? You clog the tube. The horse, incredibly sensitive to energy, feels your frantic efforts and mirrors your disquiet. You are left wondering why you can’t connect.

I wonder if this is not a metaphor for our relationship with God? We spend our days with petitions, anxieties, meetings, and checklists of things we need to do “for God.” We are in the profession of ministry, after all! But amidst all of that it can be easy to forget that true connection requires presence, not performance. It’s about quieting our internal chatter and opening ourselves to what God wants to initiate.

Just like we can’t force a horse to connect, we can’t force a connection with God. The key lies in creating space for it to happen organically. Remember the Sabbath? It wasn’t a mere suggestion. It’s a vital practice, a deliberate pause in the symphony of our lives. It’s in that stillness, that uncluttering of the “connection tube,” that we open ourselves to the Divine current flowing through us. We can be so busy creating that space for others that we neglect to create it for ourselves.

But isn’t this the essence of connecting with God? We cultivate a space of quiet, a willingness to be present and receive.

So, the next time you feel the pressure of all the things that can get in the way of being able to “connect” with God, remember the horse analogy. Take a deep breath, let go of the reins (figuratively speaking!), and simply be present. It’s in that sacred space, that unclenching of the soul, that the truest connection unfolds.