Burnout & God's Invitation to RestSample

Make Margin for God to Speak

“Sunday Scaries”—the feeling of dread that comes in anticipating a new work week—hit even harder when you’re burned out and dangerously tired. You know you’ll wake up to another week packed with obligations you can’t keep up with.

There’s no denying that you’re in a position of running yourself ragged or “dangerously tired.” But maybe you’re reading this and thinking, “I know, but what can I do about it? What practical steps can I take to disentangle myself from all the commitments and responsibilities that got me stuck in burnout in the first place?”

Valid questions. That’s why we’re going to explore what it could actually look like to take God’s invitation to rest. Did you know God invites you to rest? He built it into the rhythm of the world, and it’s one of the things we lose sight of because of sin and brokenness. On the seventh day, God rested from all the work he had done (Genesis 2:1-3). Not because he was tired or needed a break but because he could enjoy his creation. More than that, he modeled for all of us who get tired what it looks like to have a healthy rhythm of work and rest.

But where to start? We think God shows us that rest begins with making margin, or space. Burnout propels us forward with fierce momentum, so it requires putting on the brakes—sometimes pretty firmly. We see a clear example of this kind of slowing down throughout the pages of scripture, in the practice of Sabbath. That is, taking one day a week to set aside work, shopping, and being productive to simply worship and rest in God. But for a lot of people, reorienting every week around a day fully committed to rest can be pretty daunting.

So, if you’re wondering how you can practice margin in your own life right now but not sure you can commit to an entire day, we’d advocate starting with a small change. Exchange one of your weekly commitments for an hour of time with God. Or, block out a 10-minute chunk of time every day to sit still with him. Let’s call it “R.I.G. (Rest in God) Time.” Don’t plan to read the Bible or do any studying. Practice just being with God and listening to him.

God loves you because you’re his kid, not because of what you do or accomplish. And what do many parents crave? Time with their kids. We figure God likes that, too. Get comfortable with R.I.G. time, not “producing” anything.

Setting up dedicated R.I.G. time is a great first step for welcoming God’s rest into your busy life. Who knows? During this time, God might show you where you’re trying to “do” too much. He might point out some commitments that aren’t healthy for you in this season. Maybe he just wants to hear about your day. We don’t know. But you won’t either if you don’t take the time to sit and be with the God who loves you and knows exactly what you need. He wants to help you rest. Take a first step to welcoming that help.

Loving Father, it’s hard for me to practice stillness, but I want to try. Please bless my efforts in implementing a new practice of “R.I.G” time. Help it to feel life-giving, not just another “thing.” And, as I read these Scriptures, help me to see your heart, which longs to be near to your people.