We live in a culture that worships the hustle. Often, with success comes non-stop work, and if it goes on unchecked, it inevitably leads to burnout, depression, and a physical or emotional crash.
Surprisingly, this happens a lot in ministry and faith-based work. We set an unrealistic, breakneck pace for ourselves, always rushing from one task to another, constantly chasing the next deadline. And how do we justify this frantic pace? We tell ourselves we’re doing "the Lord’s work."
We’ve all heard—or perhaps even used—the classic justification: “The devil never takes a day off, so why should I?” A very wise person once gave a brilliant response to that: “I don't really think that the devil should be our example.”
When we refuse to pause, we aren't being heroic. We are actually stepping out of alignment with the very God we claim to serve.
Lazy vs. Disobedient: Finding the Biblical Balance
Scripture is incredibly balanced when it comes to our labor and our leisure. It doesn’t advocate for passivity, but it fiercely protects our peace.
On one hand, the Bible calls those who will not work lazy:
"Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper." — Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)
But on the other hand, the Bible calls those who will not rest disobedient. We often forget that rest is not a suggestion; it is a commandment. In fact, of the Ten Commandments, the one that God spent the most time explaining was the one regarding rest:
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God... For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy." — Exodus 20:8-11 (NLT)
Setting a Holy Pace
If God Himself woven a rhythm of rest into the fabric of creation, who are we to think we can run on empty indefinitely?
Aligning our priorities with God's will means recognizing that our limitations are designed by Him. Keeping a strong foundation in faith requires regular self-reflection, stepping back from the noise, and trusting that the world (and our ministries) will not fall apart if we pause to breathe.
Let's stop using "doing the Lord's work" as an excuse to ignore the Lord's commandments. It's time to reclaim the Sabbath, reject the badge of burnout, and embrace the holy pace of rest.
Surprisingly, this happens a lot in ministry and faith-based work. We set an unrealistic, breakneck pace for ourselves, always rushing from one task to another, constantly chasing the next deadline. And how do we justify this frantic pace? We tell ourselves we’re doing "the Lord’s work."
We’ve all heard—or perhaps even used—the classic justification: “The devil never takes a day off, so why should I?” A very wise person once gave a brilliant response to that: “I don't really think that the devil should be our example.”
When we refuse to pause, we aren't being heroic. We are actually stepping out of alignment with the very God we claim to serve.
Lazy vs. Disobedient: Finding the Biblical Balance
Scripture is incredibly balanced when it comes to our labor and our leisure. It doesn’t advocate for passivity, but it fiercely protects our peace.
On one hand, the Bible calls those who will not work lazy:
"Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper." — Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)
But on the other hand, the Bible calls those who will not rest disobedient. We often forget that rest is not a suggestion; it is a commandment. In fact, of the Ten Commandments, the one that God spent the most time explaining was the one regarding rest:
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God... For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy." — Exodus 20:8-11 (NLT)
Setting a Holy Pace
If God Himself woven a rhythm of rest into the fabric of creation, who are we to think we can run on empty indefinitely?
Aligning our priorities with God's will means recognizing that our limitations are designed by Him. Keeping a strong foundation in faith requires regular self-reflection, stepping back from the noise, and trusting that the world (and our ministries) will not fall apart if we pause to breathe.
Let's stop using "doing the Lord's work" as an excuse to ignore the Lord's commandments. It's time to reclaim the Sabbath, reject the badge of burnout, and embrace the holy pace of rest.
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