Step into this moment with me…You’re in the middle of an important conversation when it happens. Your phone buzzes, and there it is: the dreaded notification. Battery at 1%.
Panic sets in. You scramble to find a charger, but it’s nowhere to be found. You instinctively start triaging tasks—closing apps, dimming the screen, turning off Wi-Fi—all in a desperate attempt to stretch that last sliver of power. But you know the truth: It’s only a matter of time. Without a recharge, the phone will die, cutting you off mid-sentence, leaving the connection severed.
Now, take a moment. What if that phone isn’t just a phone?
What if it’s you?
How often do we live our lives like that device—pushing ourselves to function at 1%, hoping we can stretch just a little further? As ministry leaders, parents, and volunteers, we’re experts at prioritizing everyone else’s needs. We pour out our time, energy, and heart to serve others while ignoring the warning signs in our own souls.
That tight feeling in your chest? Irritability creeping in? The way your passion for ministry feels more like a checklist than a calling. Those are the flashing lights of your own “low battery” warning. And like your phone, you can’t function indefinitely on empty.
The truth is, God didn’t design us to live like this. He never intended for us to serve and lead from a place of depletion. He invites us instead to plug into Him—the ultimate source of rest, renewal, and strength.
But here’s the twist: Just like a phone needs more than a quick plug-in to fully recharge, our souls need more than a few moments of quiet. Soul rest isn’t about temporary fixes; it’s about leaning into God’s rhythms of renewal. It’s about creating space for Him to refill what exhaustion and self-reliance have drained.
As you embrace what lies ahead, ask yourself: Am I scrambling to “make it work” at 1%, or am I embracing the invitation to connect deeply with the One who sustains me?
If we’re honest, many of us are running on “low battery” mode. But God doesn’t desire for us to lead out of burnout—He calls us to serve from a place of strength, peace, and spiritual overflow. That’s why prioritizing rest is not just important; it’s essential. Rest isn’t a selfish indulgence; it’s a holy invitation. It’s one of God’s gifts to us, meant to reorient our hearts, refocus on His voice, and recharge us to fulfill His calling.
Let’s explore what it truly means to recharge—not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally. Soul rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a gift from God, designed to equip us to lead and love others well. When we serve from a place of spiritual overflow, we don’t just survive—we thrive.
Prioritize True Rest
Biblical rest is more than physical recovery; it’s finding peace and restoration in God’s presence. Jeremiah 31:25 (ESV) says, “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Jesus echoes this invitation in Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV): “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
We cannot trade moments of binge-watching or social media scrolling for the renewal that only comes through time spent with Jesus. Choosing to rest in His presence is not a passive decision; it’s an active, intentional choice to prioritize what truly matters. It means we are deliberately seeking to be filled and restored by the Creator of rest, knowing that nothing else will satisfy.
God’s rest is complete, restoring us in totality—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But it requires us to set aside specific, uninterrupted time daily to connect with Him—whether through prayer, reading Scripture, or simply sitting quietly in His presence. This isn’t something that happens by accident; it’s a decision to make Him the priority amidst the noise and demands of life.
Ask yourself: What areas of my life feel hurried, stressed, or self-reliant? How can I intentionally invite God into those areas today? Choose to make space for Him, knowing that His presence brings the renewal your soul is longing for.
Give Yourself Permission to Say “No”
We live in a culture that celebrates busyness, but God calls us to steward our time and energy faithfully. Saying “yes” to everything—whether extra programs, daily obligations, or serving opportunities—can leave us depleted instead of strengthened. Sometimes, God’s best for us requires us to say “no.”
Luke 10:40-41 (ESV) offers a powerful reminder of this truth:
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.”
Martha’s “yes” to busyness compromised her ability to rest and receive from Jesus. She was so consumed with her “yes” that she missed the opportunity to sit at His feet and experience the refreshment and renewal He offered. Her distraction and worry became barriers to the very connection her soul desperately needed. This truth challenges us to consider: Are we choosing the good portion—time with God and alignment with His will—or are we overwhelmed by obligations that pull us away from Him? Many of us need to learn how to say “no” to the good things and “yes” to the God things. Not everything that demands our attention aligns with God’s calling for us, and discerning the difference is essential for a life of faithfulness and rest.
Anchor Yourself in God’s Presence, Not Your Performance
Too often, we tie our worth to how much we accomplish—our achievements, productivity, and results. But God doesn’t measure our value by what we do. Our identity isn’t found in our performance; it’s found in whose we are.
Jesus calls us to a life of abiding, not striving. In John 15:5 (ESV), He clearly states, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Think about that: apart from Him, we can do nothing. Not a little, not some—nothing. The life and fruitfulness we long for cannot be produced through our own effort or skill. It flows only from a deep, dependent relationship with Christ. When we anchor ourselves in God’s presence, the pressure to perform fades, and the peace of abiding takes its place. We’re no longer trying to prove our worth or earn His love—it’s already given, freely and fully. The call to abide is an invitation to live in God’s strength, not our own. So, take a moment today to pause and remind yourself of this truth: your worth isn’t in what you achieve; it’s in being deeply rooted in the One who gives life. Ask yourself, how can I anchor my worth in Him today?
God did not design us to live at 1%. He invites us to stop scrambling and start abiding, to intentionally recharge in His presence. You do not have to lead, serve, or live from a place of depletion. Take a moment today to pause, connect with Him, and let Him fill you completely—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Choose to prioritize what truly matters and trust that He will sustain you. You are not alone; He’s waiting to restore your weary soul.For more on how to recharge and rest, check out Marianne’s book, Rest: Overcoming Spiritual Fatigue. Order your copy HERE.
- Low Battery Warning: Prioritizing God’s Rest Before It’s Too Late - January 16, 2025
- Lessons from the Wilderness: Finding Purpose in Waiting - October 10, 2024
- The Destruction of Apathy - April 3, 2023
