Why Can’t We Rest?

The 9-5 grind doesn't work for many reasons. You might start the week feeling charged, but by Wednesday, you start to feel tired. When Saturday arrives, you take the day to recharge with only one day, Sunday, to enjoy yourself before the cycle begins again. At least, that is the premise of popular YouTuber CGP Grey's video, "Weekend Wednesday."

There's truth to CGP Grey's idea that the weekend (as we know it today) does not fully utilize the intent of providing us with a time of meaningful rest. So where does that leave pastors and active church volunteers who find Sunday isn't necessarily a day of Sabbath rest? 

The Church has an issue (well, many of them, but we'll focus on just one). The Church, as it exits today, doesn't lend itself to rest. So how do pastors and high-functioning volunteers guard themselves against burnout? From a semi-recent Barna study, I would venture to say we aren't doing a good job of balancing our sense of call with self-care. 

As a pastor, I know how the story goes, "I'm going to take 'x' day off," but then a pastoral care crisis pops up, the office admin is sick, someone didn't do the bulletins, there's a flood in the church, and suddenly you find that the week blew by without any time for rest. 

And believe me, when I found the rare moment of calm, I was racked with guilt with the feeling that I could be doing something else for the church, and it would take 1-2-3 days before I settled into a rhythm of restorative Sabbath rest. Truthfully, the demands of ministry and church life do not lend themselves to healthy self-care practices. 

Rest of sacred (even if it's only a much-needed cat nap). The Creator rested on the seventh day (Gen. 2:2-3), the Psalmist waxes poetically about finding rest in the green pastures of God, and Jesus even retreats to a solitary place (Matthew 14:13). Rest is sacred, yet we can't seem to find any time or make it a priority without feeling guilt or shame. 

I have a piece of summer homework for my clergy friends, dedicated church volunteers, and myself. Take the summer to practice your "Weekend Wednesday." Find time to rest to recharge, or how else will we manage to carry out the calling placed on our hearts? Take the calm that seems to work itself into the church calendar to dedicate yourself to holding onto that feeling throughout the rest of the year. 

And however you manage to practice Sabbath rest, don't feel guilty!