Soul Rest
Tired? Depleted? Somewhat dispassionate? Going through the motions? Feeling like a bit of a fraud? Why might that be?
Often, we lay the charge for our physical weariness at the feet of long hours, overwork, relationship tensions, church conflict, or seemingly impossible circumstances.
We may be misidentifying the enemy. These may only be symptoms of a more fundamental issue. The culprit may be ‘soul fatigue.’ This is not the result of a biochemical or physiological deficit, nor is it initiated by excessive demands on our time and energy. It is a spiritual deficit.
‘I am suffering soul fatigue!’ This is always a hard admission for a pastor to make. As leaders we are called to be godly champions, stirring up spiritual passion in our followers. How can we afford to confess that we personally are suffering through a season of spiritual lethargy?
Before we turn open the spigot of self-condemnation, it is important to realize that we are in good company. The great heroes of the faith had their stumbling, struggling moments and Scripture is very candid about them. Follow the roller-coaster ride in the life of Moses, David, Elijah, Jeremiah et al. Take heart! None of these people was ousted from God’s economy even when their soul grew weary, sometimes to the point of wishing for death.
For your wellbeing, here are a few things to remember:
1. Rest for the body and rest for the soul are not the same thing.
Have you ever come back from your ´day off’ or ‘vacation’ feeling more disconsolate than when you left? You may wonder why.
The truth is this: even though your body may be rested, your soul may remain weary. The cessation of physical or mental activity does not, of itself, replenish the soul.
The soul is sustained and supported in a different way than the body. It has a deeper need that must be addressed at a deeper level.
2. Soul weariness will always produce body weariness
Perhaps you did have a wonderful vacation and you feel physically rejuvenated upon your return. However, a day or two back in the harness of ministry responsibility, you notice that you are again ‘bone weary.’ You wonder why?
It may be a weariness of soul. If the soul is not rejuvenated on a consistent basis, your physical and mental wellbeing will be affected, and your energy will be quickly depleted.
The only solution is recognizing and correcting the source of the problem.
3. There is only one place where soul rest can be harvested.
The answer is simple and difficult at the same time. We are quick to teach it, sometime slow to personally apply it. Statistics speak for themselves. An Ellis research survey for facts and trends discovered that only 16% of pastors were satisfied with their own personal devotional life.
Is it any wonder that we are soul weary?
We have been schooled to be diligent and exemplary in our spiritual work. We have an inward propulsion to prove our worth to ourselves, to others, and to God. When we fall into the ‘mass production trap,’ we begin to measure our personal value and success by the quantity of our work rather than the quality of our relationship with God.
Soul rest will not be found in the multiplicity of our efforts on God’s behalf, as commendable as they may be.
There is a sobering verse in Matthew 7:21-23 where Jesus invites His followers into the glory of His eternal kingdom, not on the basis of the abundance or quality of their work done in His Name, but on the basis of the relationship they developed with Him.
There is only one source of rest for the soul. There is no sense in attempting to obtain it elsewhere. It is a foolish waste of time.
Jesus said: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-28 NLT)
Cleland B. McAfee, in 1903, captured this truth beautifully in the words of a hymn:
There is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God
There is a place of full retreat near to the heart of God
There is a place of comfort sweet near the heart of God
It is so easy to forget this fundamental truth! Before God ever calls us to engage, He calls us to enjoy. Before He ever sends us into the fray, He summons us to Himself. Our time with Him is His greatest delight and our greatest strength.
There is no other place for soul rest but in His Presence. Neglecting our personal, intimate connection with our Heavenly Father, by neglecting His Word, personal prayer or meditation, will inevitably result in soul fatigue.
That is the choice placed before us.
Reuben Morgan of ‘Hillsongs’ helps us in our quest for soul rest:
Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
Within your mighty hand
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust.
(released July 6, 2003)
Do all the things you need to do to rest and replenish your body, but above all, give due diligence to the refueling of your soul.
As you preach this truth emphatically to others, be certain to practice it in your own life.
Al is an experienced pastor and counselor who works out of our ABNWT District Resource Centre in Edmonton as the Pastoral Care Coordinator. A pastor to the pastors, Al is a friend, mentor, and confidante to all.