 At some place in the heart of every spiritual leader, there is a longing to be the spiritual hero. Like Neo in The Matrix, we want to be “the one” that people can count on, i.e., to be indispensable. The problem is that it takes an enormous amount of energy to be a hero. In fact, it is downright exhausting. Human beings are not well-suited to play the role of Messiah.
But even the Messiah didn’t have a “messiah complex.” Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus demonstrated a holy disregard for crowd-pleasing by practicing a holy rhythm of engagement and withdrawal. During his three, short years of intense engagement in public ministry, the gospel writers tell us that Jesus made a regular habit of withdrawing to “lonely places” for prayer, often at the most unexpected and seemingly inopportune moments (cf. Lk 5:16). And at the hub of this holy rhythm was the ancient, life-giving practice of Sabbath rest: "On the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom" (Lk 4:16). Unlike the crowds he sought to serve, and the disciples he longed to lead, Jesus was called, not driven. They wanted him to wear a cape; he chose to wear a towel.
Like Jesus, Christian leaders today must also learn to “breathe.” Just as the human respiratory system requires a balance of both inhalation and exhalation, so we must learn to practice the art of “spiritual respiration.” We must repent of our resistance to silence, solitude and Sabbath rest, and we must renew our commitment to work with God, not just for him. This is the only reliable remedy for spiritual heroism. Like Jesus’ first disciples, we too must learn “the unforced rhythms of grace” (Mt 11:29, MSG).
Recent studies have consistently revealed that the vast majority of pastors and church leaders do not take a regular day off each week for Sabbath rest. This is not only unhealthy, but ungodly (cf. Gen 2:2-3; Ex 20:8-11; Dt 5:12-15; Lk 4:16; Heb 4:9-10). Far from a legalistic, lifeless, religious ritual, Sabbath-keeping is a precious gift from God, rooted in his essential character and divine nature, designed to remind us all that God alone is our Provider and Protector. Our God loves us so much that he has made a way to free us from our deepest fears and insecurities. He wants to deliver us from our self-defeating addiction to self-sufficiency. He wants desperately to bless us. The only question is, will we let him? (See the attached documents for additional insights and practical suggestions regarding the practice of Sabbath rest) |
Spirituality & Sabbath Rest |