Rest isn’t selfish. But it reminded me of those who can’t.
Running on Fumes
There is something leaders like me can be slow to accept:
Rest is not a reward for finishing your work.
Rest is a requirement for doing your work well.
You cannot pour from an empty cup.
You cannot lead people well when you’re running on fumes.
The people who depend on you need you at your best, and your best requires margin.
So if you’re a leader reading this and you haven’t truly unplugged in a while, this is your nudge.
It’s not selfish. It’s stewardship.
Radical Reality
While I was thinking about this, a thought settled over me that I couldn’t shake.
There are people who cannot do this.
Because they live in a reality where the concept of truly switching off doesn’t exist.
Where sirens warning of inbound missiles are real.
Where fear doesn’t pause for dinner.
Even where a quiet evening outside is more of a risk than it is relaxing.
Yet life in Ukraine goes on. When a drone is shot down by Ukrainian defences people stop, look up, and then continue to sip their coffee while their children play in the playground. Not because they aren’t afraid, and not because there isn’t real danger. But because—what else can they do? The Ukrainian military now intercepts at least 90 percent of the longer-range drones that target civilians outside the battlefield. So the best you can do is hope you are not in the other 10 percent.
As I enjoy the gift of rest, I’m reminded that for millions, peace is not a vacation but a daily prayer. Their resilience humbles me, and their reality calls me to gratitude. 
In your moments of peace, move beyond comfort to
compassion,
generosity,
prayer, and
a renewed commitment
to stand with those who long for the rest we so easily take for granted.
Thank you.
Please leave your comment below. Share this post in your social media platforms as an encouragement to others. Thank you.
Hope grows here. We share stories that inspire people, build faith, and offer lasting purpose.
We’d love to have you Subscribe to REVwords. We’ll put helpful content into your inbox Mondays and Fridays.
Good Morning Pastor Bob. I enjoyed your blog this morning. I agree with you, that rest is a luxury for some folks. I can’t imagine living in a war zone. The people of Ukraine have been living this life for far too long. It is heartbreaking. I pray for them every day. I am glad that you take time to rest. You can not run on fumes with the tank “empty”. It will only destroy your health…mentally & physically. As I am turning into a senior …65 later this year, the importance of taking care of my own health is paramount. Without your health, it’s hard to achieve simple goals. Thank you for sharing this blog with us. Have a great weekend. ❤️ Keep on, keeping on.
I’ll be publishing a few more stories next week of the diaries kept by people in Mariupol in the days of February and March, 2022. It’s important that the world knows what happened, to not forget and to hold Russia to account.
This dose of reality regarding Ukraine is always heart breaking. You know there are some who “ There are people who cannot do this.” can not do this but it’s more about discipline, paradigms and perhaps other no so great habits. Workaholics fit I’m this category.. just saying.
While were in Ukraine, we met with a group of pastors at a centre in a relatively safe area for 3 days. No agenda. Encouragement, prayer, testimonies, worship. All of the pastors had to be dragged there with their families because it was not done in Ukraine. We engaged in games and went swimming. All of the pastors told me this was the first time they had ever done this in their ministry. They did explain that they work 6 days a week in their job to support the church and then spend Sunday in ministry. All pastors in Ukraine are bi-vocational. Week after, week, after month, after year. It the norm in Ukraine.
This year, I see that a few more pastors have been able to enjoy such a retreat. We are helping them see that if they burnout it’s not good for them or their family or the church.
I know, I know. There are 3 fingers pointing back at me. 🙂