The Christian Working Woman - Finding Rest – 2

Presented by Julie Busteed Do you ever feel like you’ll never get it all done? The to-do list just keeps growing, and there never seems to be enough time. I’ve certainly been there. There have been seasons when I had so many responsibilities that I felt like I simply couldn’t keep everything together. And when I finally slowed down, it wasn’t because I had chosen to rest. It was because I was completely exhausted and had nothing left to give. I want something different. I want healthier rhythms in my life. Rhythms that don’t require me to pour out until I collapse. Maybe you can relate. The interesting thing is I don’t struggle because I dislike rest. In fact, I enjoy it. My struggle is that rest can feel irresponsible. My thoughts run to: “What if I fall behind? What if I don’t get everything done? What if I disappoint someone or miss an opportunity?” Yet Scripture invites us to rest not because our work is unimportant, but because God is faithful. Every time we intentionally pause, we make a declaration: my security doesn’t come from my constant effort. It comes from the Lord God who never grows weary. The challenge is our culture celebrates busyness. When someone asks, “How are you?” how often do you answer, “Oh, I’m good just super busy!” Sometimes busyness becomes a badge of honor. It makes us feel productive, needed, and even important. But what is all that busyness doing to your soul? To your body? To your relationships? In God’s economy, busyness is never the goal. Faithfulness is. God cares far more about our relationship with him than about how many items are checked off the to do lists. Yes, he has given us meaningful work to do, but he has also commanded us to rest. I remember a season of my life when I said yes to almost everything. I enjoy helping people, so saying yes came naturally. I’d volunteer to help, pick up an extra shift, make a meal for someone in need—good things, worthwhile things. But there was a cost. As I looked honestly at my life, I realized that while I was caring well for everyone else, I was neglecting my own home and family. I liked being the person others could count on, but I wasn’t paying attention to what it was costing the people closest to me—or even myself. That’s when I realized I needed a new rhythm. Now, instead of automatically saying yes, I pause. I pray. I look at my calendar. I ask whether this is really what God is asking of me in this season. Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it’s no. And that’s okay. Learning to rest isn’t about becoming less productive. It’s about trusting God enough to believe faithfulness is more important than constantly staying busy.