Caring for Your Soul in the Quiet Places

And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done…God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
—Genesis 2:2–3

It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
—Exodus 31:17

For most of my adult life, the idea of God resting has been so intriguing – omnipotent God needing rest and refreshment; Creator God needing re-creation! Was God tired? Did the almighty and all-powerful God take a Sabbath afternoon nap?

Then this scripture came into the mix:

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
—Psalm 121:3–4

Well, that answers that question, but why the Sabbath? Maybe God’s “resting” was more about taking time to reflect on the scope of creation, the goodness of it all. God made room in the first week to remember and celebrate the work that had been accomplished.

Perhaps we might consider God’s establishment of the Sabbath as in fact a gift to all people. God knew that humanity would need rhythms of labor and rest, of action and pause. God was so serious about this need that every seventh day was mandated for rest.

So what about those of us in worship leadership and preparation? The entire week is a buildup to Sunday. And none of us would call Sunday a day of rest! Should we set apart another day for Sabbath? Is that even allowed?

In the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Mark, we see what Jesus has to say about rest and ministry. Jesus called the twelve disciples and began to send them out in ministry pairs to preach, teach, and heal. They had enormous success and were anxious to report back to Jesus. Upon hearing of all they had done, Jesus responded:

“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.
—Mark 6:30–32

Have you felt this kind of fatigue – mental, physical and spiritual exhaustion? You may be experiencing it in this season with all kinds of special events, from graduations and spring concerts to banquets and more. Do you find yourself counting the days until vacation? Or perhaps checking off each event on the calendar with less joy in each occasion than you would have hoped?

I think for most of us, the lack of rest has a snowball – or even a snowplow – effect. We put off rest and time away, thinking we will make up for it later. The lack of adequate rest leads us to the brink of a major crisis: our busyness leads to exhaustion, which builds resentment, which can ultimately lead to burnout.

Truly God, Creator of the Sabbath, is not the author of burnout!

Hopefully, none of us is at that point – but if you are, please speak with your pastor or supervisor and get help without delay. Consider these suggestions to help build a healthy balance of work and rest. Customize the list to fit your own lifestyle and personality.

Grant permission to yourself to rest without guilt…find the soul-care practices that fit best.

• Take a personal inventory of your weekly schedule – write it all down, every single thing – then highlight the different categories of time, assigning a different color to each one. Be sure to include rest as one category – and highlight in neon yellow or orange!
• If the colors are not balanced, consider ways to address each issue, seeking ways to successfully build balance into your week.
• Begin to measure the quality rather than the quantity of time on task.
• Reinstate hobbies and activities you have neglected – stepping away from “the work” gives perspective and invites creativity.
• Optimally, include one day other than Sunday (or the day you lead worship) as a sabbath away with no work-related emails, texts, or calls – do all you can to protect this time!
• Invite your spouse or a trusted friend or advisor to help with your assessment.
• Pray over the process – open your plans to the Spirit’s leading.

Normalize quiet, uneventful seasons in ministry.

• Avoid the trap of going from one big event to the next big event; you and your ministry team need both the ebb and the flow of ministry.
• Allow time to come down from every mountaintop experience rather than immediately looking to the next peak.
• Build quiet time(s) into every day. As part of that time, include prayer, Bible reading, and study – but mostly include times of sitting quietly in God’s presence. As Jesus told the disciples, “Come away… and rest.”

Jesus spent time away.
He prayed alone.
He spent time with his Father.
He went up the mountains.
He went out in boats.
He walked and walked… on dusty rural roads, on narrow city streets, and even on water.
He loved his disciples and spent much of his time teaching them, but he also made time for quiet spaces. He set an example for those disciples, one we need today just as much as they did then.

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest … I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
—Matthew 11:28–29