Leading from Rest: Prioritising Renewal Without Losing Momentum
This is a vital principle—rest is not a break from leadership; it is part of leadership. High-performing, driven leaders often risk longevity, presence, and even spiritual clarity by bypassing rest in the name of vision.
Key Scriptures
“By the seventh day, God had finished the work… so He rested.” — Genesis 2:2
“Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” — Mark 6:31
“For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.” — Hebrews 4:10
“Physical training is of some value…” — 1 Timothy 4:8
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” — Psalm 4:8
Introduction: Drive Without Rest Will Destroy You
Most spiritual leaders have Type A wiring: vision-driven, high-capacity, relentless. That’s part of the call—but if not managed, it becomes a liability. You become:
- Always “on”
- Chronically tired, but unable to stop
- Spiritually dry while still publicly effective
- Worse still, you begin to attach your value to output, not to God’s presence.
“You’ll burn out doing the work of the Lord and forget the Lord of the work.”
Even God rested. Not because He was tired, but because He was finished. He paused seven times in seven days to admire and appraise His creation—to declare, “It is good,” and to model rhythm.
The Dangers of Restless Leadership
Restless Symptom and Root Cause
- Constant urgency => Belief that everything depends on you
- Guilt in downtime => Over-identification with productivity
- Inability to enjoy wins => Addiction to adrenaline or affirmation
- Disconnection from people => Being physically present but emotionally absent
- Physical breakdowns => Lack of Sabbath disciplines
Jesus’ Rest Habits
- Slept during storms (Mark 4:38)
- Regularly withdrew alone to pray (Luke 5:16)
- Took His disciples to quiet places (Mark 6:31)
- Honored meals and moments (John 21:9–12)
Jesus was never in a hurry. He moved with divine pace, not crowd pressure.
Paul’s Rest Encouragement
Paul charged Timothy to take care of his health:
“Use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” — 1 Timothy 5:23
He knew the spirit is eternal—but the body is mortal.
Spiritual Truth: Rest Is Not Laziness, It’s Trust
Rest says:
- “God, You’re still in control when I step back.”
- “I am not the source of outcomes.”
- “I am valuable even when I’m not producing.”
Sabbath is not for the weak—it’s for the wise.
Practical Applications: Building Rest Rhythms
Practice Rest Rhythms:
- Weekly Sabbath Disconnect from producing. Reconnect with joy.
- Quarterly Retreat Review your soul, goals, and gratitude
- Consistent Sleep Restoration is godly stewardship
- Nature Walks Reminds you that life exists beyond your calendar
- Fun With Loved Ones Ministry is for people—but so is your life
Reflection Questions
- Am I always thinking about what’s next—even during a win?
- Do I feel guilty when I rest or go off-grid?
- What would my family/team say about my emotional availability?
- When did I last feel fully refreshed?
Growth Challenge: “Scheduled Stillness”
1. Pick one day this week to:
- Turn off ministry/work notifications
- Spend time doing something you enjoy, not just what is “useful”
- Journal what you noticed in your soul
2. Ask a close peer:
“Have you noticed me becoming restless, hurried, or unavailable lately?”
Conclusion:
- God rested—not because He was tired, but because He was finished.
- If Jesus withdrew to rest, so must we.
- Sabbath is not weakness—it’s wisdom.
- You’re not your productivity. You’re God’s beloved.
- Rest is trust in action.
Discussion Prompt:
- Do you ever feel guilty about taking time to rest or stepping away from work/ministry? How can we reframe that guilt to understand rest as trust in God’s control?
- Jesus took moments to rest and reconnect with the Father—how can we integrate these rhythms into our own leadership? What does your current “rest rhythm” look like?
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