God is Calling You to Rest
Even in the rare seasons when our calendars slow down, many of us still struggle to feel truly restored. We take time off, but our souls stay switched on.
Leadership coach and strategic consultant David Loveless recently sat down with us to unpack why intentional rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. He also shared practical insights for building life-giving rhythms that renew the soul and sustain long-term leadership. Here are some key takeaways from that conversation.
The Myth of “Superpastor”
“I spent the first number of years of my life having an arrogance of capacity related to how much I could carry and how long I could carry it.” — David Loveless
Most pastors don’t choose burnout, but many live as if it’s an inevitable badge of honor.
We buy into the subtle lie that ministry faithfulness means being constantly on—preaching, planning, leading, solving, showing up. And when we do pause, we tend to feel guilty about it.
Here’s the truth: Much of the weight we carry wasn’t assigned by God. We picked it up ourselves.
Rest Like Jesus
Jesus embraced His human limitations and withdrew regularly to quiet places. He didn’t just allow rest—He modeled it.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” — Matthew 11: 28-30
Many pastors take time off, but never actually power down internally. They keep solving, striving, and planning, just from a different location. True restoration requires confronting the internal storms that keep your soul on edge. Until those are addressed, no amount of time off will bring the rest Jesus offers.
Inviting Replenishing Rhythms Into Your Life
Take an honest look at your current pace. Ask God: “What kind of rest or renewal are You inviting me into in this season?”
Here are a few ways to begin learning the “unforced rhythms of grace” Jesus spoke of:
1. Be Still and Know
Practice stillness and silence, starting with just 3 minutes a day.
2. Establish a Finish Line
Create clear “off-duty” times when you step out of ministry mode and into Sabbath rest.
3. Rediscover What Fills You
Engage in life-giving activities such as fishing, gardening, cooking, and reading.
Most of us don’t slow down naturally. We have to be made to rest. But rest isn’t weakness—it allows us to live with joy and longevity in the calling we’ve received.
When Rest Feels Out of Reach
“There were always reasons why it felt like I couldn’t take a break that I desperately needed. But if you don’t do that, you’ll end up crashing and burning your life.” — David Loveless
If we ignore our limits, they’ll eventually catch up with us—through exhaustion, strained relationships, or even health breakdowns. Don’t just self-assess; invite those closest to you to speak in. Others can often see the warning signals before we’re willing to admit they’re there.
Watch for these signs your soul may be craving renewal:
- You’re unusually reactive or irritable.
- You’re physically tired all the time, even with sleep.
- You’re coping in unhealthy ways.
No matter how full your calendar is, there are always ways to carve out time for renewal. You might not be able to take two weeks off. But what about two days? A long weekend? A half-day retreat?
This invitation isn’t just to stop working. It’s to step into the rest Jesus offers. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you need most.
8 Simple Rhythms To Replenish Your Life
If you’re wrestling with rest—or wondering how to lead from a more grounded place—let’s talk →.
