The Pursuit of Holy Leisure with Cara Ray | Ep. 83

Are you a check-the-box person—or someone who longs to slow down and be more intentional with God? In this episode, we explore the pursuit of holy leisure and how it becomes an invitation to grace when you struggle to sustain a meaningful rhythm of meeting with Him. Author Cara Ray shares how the pursuit of holy leisure reshapes our understanding of rest, productivity, and presence with God. Drawing from her book, The Pursuit of Holy Leisure, she offers a vision for a Sabbath-shaped life that holds both deep spiritual connection and everyday responsibilities in tension—without striving or performance. If you’ve ever felt stuck between doing more and desiring more of God, this conversation will help you move from performance to presence. Together, we unpack how the pursuit of holy leisure allows you to slow down, commune with God, and rediscover your identity through who He is—not what you do. You’ll also hear how Cara’s journey was influenced by Richard Foster and his classic book Celebration of Discipline, and how spiritual practices can gently lead us into a life of abiding rather than achieving. In this episode, we talk about: How the pursuit of holy leisure began in Cara's own life The difference between "vegging out" and true holy leisure Why slowing down is essential for spiritual formation and connection with God Moving from performance-based faith to presence-centered living Rhythms of grace that help you stay grounded in the pursuit of holy leisure The role of stillness—and why it's more than just inactivity Practical, everyday steps to begin the pursuit of holy leisure When life feels out of balance, resting in God can seem out of reach. But the pursuit of holy leisure offers a better way—a grace-filled rhythm of slowing down, abiding deeply, and enjoying God in the middle of your everyday life. 💬  Grace Quotes from Cara Ray: "Ultimately, we make time for the things that are important to us." "God's grace isn't part of the story; it's the thread woven throughout the Scriptures, beginning in the Garden and culminating in the Cross.” "When we slow down, that is when our eyes open—when our hearts open and see there is grace."   Scriptures Mentioned: Luke 10:38-42– The story of Martha and Mary Resources Mentioned: 🌿  Cara's book Pursuit of Holy Leisure 🌿  Cara's FREEBIES and resources 🌿  Richard Foster's book The Celebration of Discipline 🎶  Cara's go-to grace song Goodness of God by Cece Winans Connect with Cara Ray: Website: cara-ray.com Instagram: @pursuingotiumsanctum Facebook: @pursuingotiumsanctum Related Episodes: Ep. 70 Grace in the Story of Ruth with Mariel Davenport Ep. 69 How to Love Your Morning with Jennifer Dukes Lee Ep. 52 Chasing Grace with Carol McLeod Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata: 🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates ⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!   👉🏼Living the Grace Life is the place where real grace meets real life. Host Jennifer Sakata helps bridge the gap between grace as a theological idea and lived practice in everyday moments of faith, encouraging listeners to experience forgiveness, freedom, and trust that they then extend to others.   Website | Instagram | Facebook