You are finite. But as a leader, often, our work seems infinite. How do you deal with this imbalance?

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to see rest as a weakness. I believe it’s a gift. Sadly many have neglected to open this present and discover the goodness of rest.

Rest is one of the key roles in cultivating leaders. Today, we’ll look at three reasons to rest as a leader:

1. Resting reminds you, you're not in control.
2. Resting gives space to heal and restore.
3. Resting makes space for new leaders.

What changed was their current circumstances no longer allowed for the facade of control.

Resting reminds you you're not in control.

I spent seven years working overseas, most of the time serving as a team leader. Consistently I would watch teammates struggle with feeling out of control as they adjusted to the new culture. They didn’t know the language, the food, the customs, even how to find the bathroom. Suddenly a 24-year-old needs as much help as an eight-year-old.

While empathizing with their experience, I’d ask what it would take to feel in control again. Throughout the conversation, it would become more apparent that they were never in control. What changed was their current circumstances no longer allowed for the facade of control.

Daily surrender to rest reminds me that I'm not in control.

In a culture that exalts the motivated worker with four side hustles, rest is a much-needed discipline. Daily surrender to rest reminds me that I'm not in control. At first, this felt terrifying, but after I accepted it, I discovered it’s freeing.

At the end of my day, I will consider what is left to be done. I take these things and surrender them to God, recognizing I can’t bring them to fruition in my strength. I then express my trust in God’s provision and timing. This act of surrender allows me not to carry what isn’t mine to take and be at peace.

Resting gives space to heal and restore.

Work is a good thing. You are created to work, to create. But work has also been cursed to be toilsome, to frustrate.

Physically you need rest to heal and be restored. Even as I write this post, I’m wearing a boot on my foot because it needs to be still to recover. You also need rest to heal mentally and emotionally.

So let’s talk about Netflix.

Rest, particularly restorative rest, is not the same as distraction. Distraction at best is neutral, but in actuality, it costs us more than we realize. Here are a few reasons why.

1. Our brain is continuously active—a far cry from allowing our brain to restore critical chemicals.
2. It steals time from real rest. Not just because you stayed up till 4 am binging that new show, but four hours of staring at a glowing screen has never helped me sleep afterward.
3. You're probably still multi-tasking. How often are you “just” watching TV? Are you also cruising Instagram on your phone?

We live in a chronically tired society, not because there isn’t enough downtime, but because of how we spend it.

Now let’s talk about recreation.

Rest isn’t just sleeping, though we could all likely benefit from more sleep. Real recreation gives you life, helping you to be re-created. Here are some ideas to consider:

1. A meal and intentional conversation with a friend. Commit to both putting your phones in the middle of the table. If one of you picks it up before the meal is over, then they’re buying lunch.
2. A slow walk in a quiet, life-giving place. Though you’re physically active, this can be mentally and emotionally restorative. Getting in the sun is a bonus.
3. Journal. I suggest using a pen and paper, no devices here. We’re not writing a novel. We’re not writing for anyone else. Just take time to process what’s on your mind.
4. Needless Creation. Try drawing something you don’t intend to show anyone else. Productivity isn’t the goal. Curiosity is.

‍

You were design for rest and the book "The Rest of God" explores what it means to truly rest.

‍

‍

Resting makes space for new leaders.

In the past few years, I built new cross-functional teams to lead across multiple departments in our organization. I defined their roles and responsibilities. I coached the leaders for a while.

Then I took a sabbatical. For 30 days, I was not available for questions, guidance, context, or problem-solving.

Not only was this rest critical for my growth as a leader, but it also served to establish the new team giving them the confidence that they were ready to lead. I’ve seen this happen over and over with young leaders. They aren’t “ready” until they have to be. Consider how you could take your own sabbatical as a gap-month.

Rest not only restores us as a leader, but it also multiplies us as leaders.

When establishing a new leader, sometimes the best thing I can do is get out of the way. The timing is usually earlier than feels comfortable. If you have an enthusiastic young leader, you likely need to give space sooner than you think.

Rest not only restores us as a leader, but it also multiplies us as leaders.

I’ve found Mark Buchanan’s book Rest of God and Tim Keller’s book Every Good Endeavor instructive as I’ve learned to rest as a leader.

Questions for reflection

1. What control will you need to let go of to begin to rest?
2. Are there habits you can change this week to rest?
3. What responsibility can you step back from to give space to another leader?