The Call To Rest

Our increasingly hurried, frantic world often feels inhospitable to rest. Endless productivity is valorized while Sabbath rhythms get squeezed out. But busyness severed from spiritual roots leaves us depleted and disconnected. God calls us to restore sacred rest.  

Scripture issues strong Sabbath commands. God designed us for an ebb and flow of work and renewal. We best thrive when grounded in divine rhythms that honor rest.  

This breathless pace of life fuels what some term “hurry sickness.” The costs of avoiding rest include:   

- Spiraling stress, anxiety, burnout and exhaustion 

- Diminished creativity, clarity, and mental health 

- Weakened connections - less presence with loved ones 

So what drives us into this exhaustion-inducing cycle? Social norms celebrate overwork, incessant productivity, and 24/7 hustle. In ministry, we are constantly asked and expected to help others. We may begin believing our worth depends on pleasing people, outputs, or achievements rather than God’s love. A fear of missing out breeds hyper-vigilance about worldly success.  

In John 6:28, Jesus is asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answers in verse 29, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” Being with Jesus is the only thing we should strive towards. Resting with him relieves overwhelm and nurtures wholeness - intellectual, emotional, spiritual and physical. 

Key benefits of rest include: 

- Reduced anxiety and cortisol levels, boosting health   

- Increased creativity, insight and inspiration  

- Feeling more grounded, centered and connected to God

So, how can we as Christian leaders tangibly embrace rest? Consider these steps:   

- Guard 1 Sabbath day a week for quiet calm rather than work (this can be any day, not just a Sunday).

- Unplug regularly from phones and computers to enjoy simpler pleasures. 

- Spend time outdoors and move slowly - walk, garden, bike, meditate, and connect your feet to the soil or in flowing water.   

- Delight your soul in God - worship, pray, read Scripture, and journal gratitude.   

Creating space for rest anchors us deeper in Christ’s love. We live and serve abundantly from a place of spiritual fullness when we rest.

Who Wrote This?

Jenn Clauser

Jenn Clauser is an experienced Church Communications professional who feels her call is to “Curate Content that Calls Hearts” (Jeremiah 1:4-10). She uses that calling to creatively extend the Gospel message and strategic vision of the church. Jenn has been featured on Esther Littlefield’s, Christian Women’s Leadership Podcast (Episode 146), The UnSeminary Podcast, speaking on Pandemic Learnings from Church Online, and has been a guest speaker in the She Leads Church Conference in March of 2021. She is passionate about church growth whether that is from the ground up, or through innovative use of creativity, processes, and resources to extend outreach. Jenn sees online as a mission field ready to be reached in the name of Jesus.  Jenn works directly with churches to oversee and coach communication efforts. 

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