Howard Thurman wisely observed that music without rest notes would be “unbearable.” In the past 20 years, Ruth Haley Barton, Wayne Muller, A. J. Swoboda and others have argued convincingly that human beings are not built to thrive without rest. Clearly, we are well aware of the need for sabbath. But what we know in theory is not always demonstrated in practice.
Well-being research, including studies of clergy, supports the claim that ministers and other helping professionals need a rhythm of work and rest to sidestep the cynicism and emotional exhaustion that accompany burnout. Intentional rest and meaningful work are essential.
One reason ministers may not lean into the practice of keeping sabbath is that the idea may seem like it’s one-size-fits-all. Familiar patterns of sabbath keeping may not fit their lives. The reason for unhealthy work and rest rhythms could be more deeply rooted, though. Thomas Merton once said there is a “pervasive form of modern violence to which the idealist…most easily succumbs: activism and over-work.”
Merton was not arguing for passivity in the face of injustice. He meant to raise a crucial question: If the frenetic pace of our work destroys the inner root of spiritual wisdom, what good are we doing?
Let’s be honest with ourselves. We won’t ever achieve a mythical state of life balance, but healthier rhythms are within reach. Work is good. Rest is good. We need both — at the right moment and for the right intervals.
The Lenten season is a time of self-examination. As you reflect on the rhythms in your life, what do you see? What do you want to change?
Resources
Could slowing down help us both recharge and build endurance?
When runners train for a race, they are told to spend most of their time preparing at a slower pace to help them speed up when needed. The strategy offers important lessons for how we approach our work and life, writes the director of communications for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.
By Emily Lund
Exodus and the season of Lent both call us to action
In their new Lenten study, a pastor and a theologian in Louisville invite a practice of activism, one step at a time.
Interview with Mary Alice Birdwhistell and Tyler D. Mayfield
Rest can be hard work
The calls to work for justice and to make room for rest are significant and difficult to balance, writes a pastor and leader.
By Eliza Cortés Bast
The purpose of rest is to enable us to work more, right?
Deeply and faithfully loving and caring for oneself is enough — it’s not just a pause between activities, writes a seminary professor and psychologist.
By Chanequa Walker-Barnes
Before you go
If you’re struggling to find a healthy rhythm of work and rest, it may be worth the time to do an audit of how you’re using the time you have. After many years of practicing a Monday sabbath ritual, I made some changes once I figured out that I was not tired on Mondays because of working on Sundays, but rather because I could not turn off work on Saturday.
Lent is often a time of self-denial, but I urge you instead to give yourself a gift before Easter. Identify one change you can make in your rhythm that will help you thrive. Once you know what you want to change, go for it. May God bless you as you work and as you rest.
You can always reach me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. Until next week, keep leading!
Prince R. Rivers
Editor, Alban at Duke Divinity
Partner Resource
All preachers in the U.S. are invited to participate in a research survey being conducted by the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at Lexington Theological Seminary, Dr. Wayne Thompson, Professor Emeritus at Carthage College, and Amanda Wilson Harper, professor of social work at Tarleton University. This is part of an 8-year-long project begun in 2017. Your responses will help further research about preaching and ministry at this unique time in American history regarding topics such as racism, environment, immigration, abortion, guns, and LGBTQIA issues. The survey is anonymous and estimated completion time is 15 minutes. Please share this with other preachers in your network. Free book drawing for those who complete the survey!
Any questions can be directed to Dr. Schade at lschade@lextheo.edu.