October 30: Finding Rest: When Serving Becomes Overwhelming

 

Finding Rest: When Serving Becomes Overwhelming

Scripture:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Kristy Hylton, Bodden Town SDA.

— Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV)

The irony wasn’t lost on me – burning out while doing God’s work. My calendar was filled with ministry commitments: worship team practice, children’s sabbath school preparation, AY planning and preparation, and countless committee/board meetings. From the outside, I appeared to be the epitome of Christian service. Inside, I was exhausted, running on empty, and slowly losing my joy in serving.

It took a gentle reminder from a wise friend to help me see what was happening. “You’re being such a Martha,” she said kindly, referring to the biblical story that had somehow slipped from my consciousness despite my busyness for the Kingdom. Martha, who was so preoccupied with serving Jesus that she missed the opportunity to simply be with Him. Mary, her sister, had chosen the “better part” – sitting at Jesus’ feet, drinking in His presence.

The comparison struck home. In my zealous attempts to serve God, I had slowly substituted doing things for Him instead of being with Him. My quiet times had become rushed prayer sessions where I essentially presented God with my to-do list for His kingdom. My Bible reading had become lesson preparation rather than a source of soul nourishment.

God used my exhaustion to teach me a profound truth: He desires our presence more than our performance. Jesus didn’t rebuke Martha for serving – service is vital to kingdom work. He corrected her priorities. “Martha, Martha,” He said, “you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.”

For those struggling with ministry burnout:

1. Schedule regular “Mary moments” – time just to be in God’s presence without an agenda.

2. Learn to say no to good things to say yes to the best things.

3. Remember that rest isn’t laziness; it’s biblical and necessary.

4. Set boundaries around your service – not every need is your calling.

To the church family supporting those in active ministry:

1. Watch for signs of burnout in your active servers and leaders.

2. Offer to help shoulder responsibilities when you see someone struggling.

3. Create a culture that values being with God as much as working for Him.

4. Remind each other that our worth isn’t in our work, but in our identity as God’s children.

Through this journey, I’ve learned that the most effective service flows from a well-rested soul. Now, I guard my time with God jealously. Some mornings, I simply sit with my tea or hot chocolate and His Word, not to prepare a lesson or craft a devotion, but just to be His child. I’ve learned that saying no to another ministry opportunity can be an act of faith rather than failure.

Today, I understand that faithful ministry is about balancing our Martha hands with our Mary heart. It’s about serving from a place of rest rather than rushing from a place of obligation. God doesn’t need our exhausted efforts; He desires our refreshed presence. In finding this balance, we discover the truth that sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is simply rest in His presence.

Prayer:

Loving Father,
Thank You for reminding us that You desire our hearts more than our hustle. Teach us to rest in Your presence and to serve from a place of peace, not pressure. Renew our strength when we grow weary and help us to find joy in simply being with You. May every act of service flow from time spent in Your presence.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.