Rest Is Worship, Not Laziness

I'm exhausted. And I'm tired of pretending I'm not.

The church has a hustle problem. We celebrate burnout as dedication, wear exhaustion like a badge of honor, and call it "passion for the Kingdom." Pastors brag about sleeping four hours. Volunteers guilt-trip each other for saying no. If you're not running yourself into the ground, are you really committed?

But here's what we've forgotten: God commanded rest.

It's in the Ten Commandments

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God." — Exodus 20:8-10

It's right there. Between "don't murder" and "don't steal." Remember the Sabbath. It's a commandment, not a suggestion.

Jesus Rested

If the Son of God needed rest, what makes us think we don't?

• He withdrew from crowds (Mark 1:35)
• He said no to ministry opportunities (Mark 1:37-38)
• He fell asleep in boats (Mark 4:38)
• He retreated to pray (Luke 5:16)

Jesus had unlimited power, yet He chose to rest.

What Rest Actually Means

Rest is NOT a reward for productivity. It's NOT something you earn. It's NOT laziness.

Rest is:

• A declaration that your worth isn't tied to your output
• An act of trust that says, "God can run the universe without me"
• Obedience to God's design
• Worship through surrender

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28

Rest as Rebellion

In a world that demands constant productivity, rest is resistance.

What the world says:

• Your value = your productivity
• Sleep when you're dead
• Hustle harder

What God says:

• You are loved for who you are, not what you do
• Rest is holy
• My grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)

My Boundaries

So no, I won't feel guilty for taking a day off. I won't apologize for setting boundaries. I won't let the church's dysfunction become my exhaustion.

God didn't create us to burn out for Him. He created us to abide in Him (John 15:4).

And sometimes, abiding looks like a nap.

"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." — Isaiah 30:15