Rest is a part of spirituality
The wake-up call I needed
Rarely do we hear believers, especially high-performance Christians, emphasize the importance of rest. Why? Because rest is often associated with spiritual complacency, lukewarmness, and the fear of backsliding.
I honestly cannot fault this perspective because the concept of rest can easily be misconstrued and misused, leading to a sense of lethargy and unproductivity. I hope my story can shed light on the true essence of rest and its transformative power.
In my late teens, I was deeply involved in church activities. I dedicated myself wholeheartedly to serving in various capacities within my church. My weekly routine was packed:
- Sundays: Engaged in multiple church services
- Monday to Friday: Attending school with evening prayer meetings
- Wednesdays: Balancing school with mid-week services
- Saturdays: Participating in evangelism and fellowship activities
The cycle was on repeat. But I enjoyed serving others. I was even appointed as the leader of my school’s chaplaincy, adding another layer of responsibility to my plate.
I felt compelled to be the pillar of strength for everyone around me, pushing myself to solve every problem that came my way. And when fatigue crept in, I brushed it off, believing in the biblical principle that “it is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth" (Lamentations 3:27, NKJV).
However, I failed to acknowledge the signs of burnout for years, until my second year of university, when I reached a breaking point. I experienced debilitating mental health distress, a stark contrast to the image of strength I projected to the world.
I had to step back from my commitments and confront the reality of my exhaustion. And though I hoped for support from others during this challenging time, I found myself grappling with my struggles alone.
Looking back at this period of burnout, I have realized two crucial things:
- I was operating solely on my strength, treating my service as a personal competition rather than a spiritual assignment.
- I lacked a deep understanding of the spiritual significance behind my service. My engagement in church activities was driven more by religion than spiritual conviction. I just did them because it was the normal thing to do as a Christian.
A profound statement from my pastor, Pa Ayo Ajani, struck a chord with me: “You can have a spiritual experience without the doctrinal foundation to support it.”
This resonated deeply, as I recognized my lack of spiritual grounding despite my fervent zeal for service.
I had the Holy Spirit within me, but I failed to rely on Him fully. I approached my tasks with a misguided sense of self-sufficiency, neglecting the divine assistance available to me. Yet, the weight of Christ’s mission is too heavy for any one person to bear alone, which is why the Holy Spirit was sent as our helper.
During my period of rest and reflection, I developed a deeper intimacy with the Holy Spirit. What was once a distant concept became a tangible presence in my life, guiding me through moments of uncertainty and fatigue. This newfound connection sparked a personal revival within me, igniting a passion for spiritual growth that I had never experienced before.
I share my journey to emphasize this fundamental truth: rest is an essential aspect of spirituality. High-performance Christianity may appear noble, but true spirituality transcends mere religious duties.
Recently, I have been on a roller coaster of spiritual activities, and this has affected my sleeping pattern. I asked for the help of the Holy Spirit. With His guidance, I adopted a simple yet transformative strategy: prioritizing sleeping early.
This seemingly small adjustment has revolutionized my productivity and overall well-being. I’ve come to realize that resting isn’t a sign of weakness but a demonstration of wisdom—a wisdom imparted by the Holy Spirit.
So, I implore you to embrace rest. It’s not a pathway to backsliding but rather a means of understanding your body’s needs and maximizing your effectiveness in daily endeavours.
I hope my story serves as a gentle nudge for you to embrace rest and approach each day with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation] Matthew 11:28 (AMP)
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