Creating and maintaining a rhythm of rest and work is a core teaching across PLI’s Learning Communities. The world around us shows a pattern of work, work, work, and then collapse into a bit of rest, which completely exhausts us, and then work, work, work some more. That isn’t healthy, and it isn’t sustainable.

As followers of Jesus, we intentionally seek to prioritize rest.

True rest is abiding in Christ, and that isn’t something you squeeze into your schedule when there’s some down-time. Following God’s creation pattern and the ways of Jesus, we rest first, and then, from a place of rest, we work. There are seasons of rest and seasons of work, and the pendulum swings back and forth between the two.

In busy seasons, it can be easy to prioritize work and the task list and to put off rest until the end of the busy season. Bryan Blackford, our Director of Operations, makes this point: “You will collapse when you run fast for an extended period without resting or refueling. When you lead ministry on empty, you will burn out. You are not an exception.”

So, even in busy seasons and the fullness of life, let’s seek rhythms that put us in a posture of rest and abiding in Christ.

But what does this look like? How do you maintain a rhythm of rest and work in busy seasons like the fall when your calendar is full and life is hectic?

We asked some PLI team members and here’s what they shared about the ways they intentionally rest during busy seasons:

“While sometimes rest is a lazy afternoon, other times it is stolen moments to go for a walk, read a chapter or two of a book, or enjoy a mug of hot tea,” says Erin West, D2MC Coaching and Content Leader. “I’ve also learned to find rest by spending time with people I enjoy and adopting a mindset of thankfulness. This means opportunities like sitting at a marching band competition with other parents—enjoying the gifts of children, music, friendship, fall weather, and more—have become moments of rest for me.”

Rika Beckley, Director of Donor Engagement, shares, “I enjoy ‘coffee with God’ in the morning before I ‘officially’ log on. It’s time to do my Bible study homework or write in my journal. I also try to get a walk in every day.”

“Years ago I recognized three 3 Rs I struggled with,” Angie Outlaw, North America Programs Coordinator, says, “I don’t naturally rest, recreate, or relish.  So I now try to focus on physical rest (literally rest my body and mind with distance from work and chaos),  recreate (laugh with friend, watch funny show, play a game or sport, go for walk, dance to music), and intentionally relish the little things, like a baby’s smile, a rainbow, quiet rain.”

“Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday,” says Operations Coordinator Sarah Oestermeyer. “I make a list each year of my ‘Thankfuls,’ where I list out all the funny and sometimes mundane adventures we’ve experienced as a family. It’s a nice way to pause, be thankful, and also look back on previous years and all the blessings we’ve experienced.”

Raechel Pfotenhauer, Connections Director, added, “I start mornings, even busy ones, with a cup of coffee and time in my Bible. It helps me take Jesus at His Word each day. It grounds my soul in what is true. I enter the day at peace. I also find rest in little things around me—observing a beautiful sky or a child’s smile, taking a walk around the block, saying a simple prayer over a concern, or laughing with one of my teammates. Simple but powerful.”

It takes intentionality.

Going for a walk, reading a book, spending time with God and a warm beverage, or practicing gratitude, spending time with friends…these are ways to refuel, to abide in Christ and leave the work in His hands.

We want to hear from you. How are you intentional about rest in busy seasons?