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Surveys in America show that around 80 percent of people are reporting exhaustion and burnout. Discussions rage back and forth about what the solution is, and Christianity has answers, but rates of stress and fatigue are often just as high or even higher in churches. This is wildly at odds with Christ’s invitation for the weary to find rest in him, so what are we missing? In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how biblical rest leads to godly peace and how both are necessary for the church to see revival.
Key Points from the Podcast
• When we begin to overextend ourselves is when we begin to lose the simplicity of life that often allows us to hear God’s voice./p>
• Sabbath is not necessarily Sunday or even just a single day during the week. It often is those things, but it’s mostly a way of living where we purposefully disconnect from things that aren’t necessary and purposefully connecting with God and other people.
• Often American culture, and even church culture, glorifies being busy and heavily committed. It’s easy to find value in our tasks or achievements, but we will burn out unless we equally value rest.
• Boundaries will help us keep our peace and focused on God and our family. For each new thing we take on or say yes to, we should seriously consider what on our plate can be taken off in exchange. If we’re ‘unable’ to say no to certain things, odds are good that we have certain idols that have grown in our life to the point where we feel like we can’t afford to eliminate certain activities and to rest.
• As we submit ourselves and our activities to God, he will require us to focus more on certain things and give up others.
• The appeal of the gospel to the lost world will be lost if we are even more overcommitted and exhausted than our secular neighbors. A life of peace and restfulness will draw the weary and hungry.
Bible Verses Referenced in the Podcast
2 Mark 2:27, Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 16:24-25
Episodes in this Podcast Series
About Joshua West
Joshua West serves as the Church Leadership Network Director at World Challenge helping equip and empower pastors all over the world. Joshua’s desire is to raise up ministers who will correctly and boldly preach the word with passion and integrity. The point of all his work and writings is to preach the gospel, glorify God and to teach sound doctrine.