Finding Rest: Jesus' Invitation Amidst Burnout

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Prioritizes Rest and Invites Us to Do the Same

Rest is not just a suggestion but a rhythm modeled by God Himself and reinforced by Jesus, who, after sending out the disciples for ministry, invited them to come away with Him to a quiet place and rest. This invitation is not a command to go rest alone, but a personal call to rest in His presence, reminding us that true rest is found in relationship with Him. In a world filled with constant noise and endless demands, finding a quiet place—physically and spiritually—becomes essential for our well-being. Jesus shows us that rest is not weakness but wisdom, and that our environment and intentional withdrawal from distractions matter deeply for our souls. Will you accept His invitation to step away from the busyness and rest with Him today? [43:44]

Mark 6:31 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to create space for true rest with Jesus, away from distractions and noise?

Day 2: Responding to Interruptions with Compassion, Not Cynicism

When life’s interruptions come—often in the form of people needing us—Jesus shows us a better way than resentment or cynicism. Even when He and His disciples were exhausted, Jesus saw the crowds not as nuisances but as sheep without a shepherd, and He responded with compassion. This challenges us to see others through God’s eyes, recognizing their value and purpose, even when it’s inconvenient. Instead of letting burnout breed indifference, we are called to love people more than our own comfort, following Jesus’ example of selfless compassion. How might your perspective shift if you saw every interruption as a divine appointment rather than an annoyance? [47:27]

Mark 6:34 (ESV)
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Reflection: Who is one person you tend to see as an interruption? How can you show them compassion today, even if it costs you comfort?

Day 3: Recharging by Depending on God’s Power, Not Our Own

After pouring Himself out in ministry, Jesus withdrew to pray, demonstrating that true strength and renewal come from communion with the Father, not from self-reliance or worldly comforts. While we may seek to recharge through entertainment or temporary escapes, only time with God truly restores our souls. Jesus’ pattern of seeking solitude with God is an invitation for us to do the same, especially when we feel spent or overwhelmed. Instead of numbing our exhaustion, we are called to draw near to the Source of life, who alone can empower us for the journey ahead. Will you choose to recharge with God today, trusting His power over your own? [50:37]

Mark 6:46 (ESV)
And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally seek God’s presence today to recharge your soul, rather than turning to lesser substitutes?

Day 4: Jesus Pursues and Rescues Us—We Are Never Too Far Gone

No matter how far we feel from God or how overwhelmed we are by life’s storms, Jesus comes to us—even walking on water if necessary—to climb into our “boat” and bring peace. The disciples were straining against the wind, exhausted and afraid, yet Jesus saw them, came to them, and calmed the storm. His pursuit is relentless, and nothing—no failure, exhaustion, or circumstance—can keep Him from reaching us. You are never too far gone for Jesus to rescue; He delights in drawing near to you, no matter how “messy” your situation. Will you let Him into your boat today? [51:56]

Mark 6:50-51 (ESV)
For they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded.

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel overwhelmed or “too far gone”? How can you invite Jesus to meet you there and trust Him to bring peace?

Day 5: The Best Is Yet to Come—Hope in Jesus

Even in seasons of exhaustion, uncertainty, or burnout, we are reminded that our story is not over and that the best is yet to come because of Jesus. Our hope is anchored not in our circumstances but in the promise of eternity with Him, where every tear will be wiped away and all things made new. This future hope empowers us to persevere today, knowing that Jesus is with us and for us, and that our present struggles are not the end. As we look forward to worshiping together in heaven, let us live with expectancy and gratitude, trusting that God’s goodness will prevail. [01:05:45]

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Reflection: How does the promise of eternity with Jesus shape the way you face today’s challenges? What is one way you can live with hope and expectancy this week?

Sermon Summary

Twelve years ago, Jennifer and I found a family here, and through both the joys and the storms—like our son’s battle with cancer and the blessing of adoption—you have stood with us. As we prepare for a new season, my heart is full of gratitude and hope. Today, I want to share what I’ve learned about burnout—not just from research or observation, but from my own journey through it. Burnout isn’t just being tired; it’s a deep exhaustion, a creeping cynicism, and a loss of effectiveness that can touch every part of life: relationships, work, and even our spiritual walk.

Looking at Mark 6, we see Jesus and his disciples at a moment of intense ministry. The disciples return from their first mission, exhilarated but depleted. Jesus’ response is not to push them harder, but to invite them: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” He doesn’t say “go rest”—he says “come.” Rest, in the way of Jesus, is not isolation but communion with him. The environment matters; true rest is found in the presence of God, away from the noise and demands of the world.

Yet, even as they seek rest, the crowds follow. Jesus is interrupted, but his response is compassion, not resentment. He sees people not as obstacles, but as sheep without a shepherd. This is a challenge for us: when we are tired, do we see others as interruptions or as beloved creations of God? After the miracle of feeding the 5,000, Jesus again models servant leadership—he sends the disciples ahead to rest while he dismisses the crowd, then retreats to pray. Even Jesus, fully God and fully man, needed to recharge by drawing near to the Father.

When the disciples are straining at the oars, Jesus sees them. He walks on water to reach them, climbs into their messy, exhausted boat, and brings peace. No matter how far gone we feel, Jesus comes for us. My own burnout came when I abandoned healthy rhythms during a season of relentless stress. Recovery came through rest, counseling, and returning to God’s presence. The path to prevent burnout is clear: follow God’s rhythm of rest, love people more than comfort, and recharge in God’s presence. Jesus invites us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” The best is yet to come, because Jesus is with us—now and forever.

Key Takeaways

1. Rest is a Divine Invitation, Not a Suggestion God modeled rest from the very beginning, not because He needed it, but to set a pattern for us. Jesus’ invitation to “come with me… and get some rest” is a call to communion, not just cessation of activity. True rest is found in the presence of God, not in mere distraction or escape. Audit your rhythms: are you prioritizing rest as a gift from God, or are you letting the world’s demands crowd it out? [43:44]
2. Compassion Over Cynicism in the Face of Interruption Burnout often breeds cynicism, making us see people as obstacles rather than image-bearers of God. Jesus, even when exhausted, responded to interruptions with compassion, seeing the crowd as “sheep without a shepherd.” The challenge is to love people more than we love our own comfort, recognizing that every interruption is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love. How we respond to others in our weariness reveals the depth of our discipleship. [47:27]
3. Recharging Means Returning to the Source Jesus consistently withdrew to pray, even after great victories and exhausting days. He depended on the Father’s power, not his own reserves. Our culture offers many counterfeit ways to “recharge,” but only time in God’s presence truly restores the soul. Make it a discipline to seek God in solitude, worship, and the Word, especially when you feel depleted. [50:37]
4. Jesus Sees and Pursues Us in Our Struggle When the disciples were straining at the oars, Jesus saw them and came to them—walking on water, climbing into their messy boat, and bringing peace. No distance, exhaustion, or failure can keep Jesus from reaching us. He enters our chaos, not waiting for us to clean up first, and brings the rest and rescue we desperately need. You are never too far gone for Jesus to come to you. [51:56]
5. Prevention is Better Than Recovery: Audit Your Life Burnout can creep into any area—relational, professional, or spiritual—when we neglect God’s rhythms. Regularly examine your life: are you caring for others without caring for yourself? Are you serving out of empty reserves? Prevention means following God’s pattern of rest, loving people sacrificially, and recharging in His presence, so that you can serve from a place of fullness rather than depletion. [61:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Reflections on Twelve Years and Community
[04:10] - Humor, Family, and Burnout Introduction
[08:00] - What is Burnout? Definitions and Symptoms
[13:30] - The Roots of Burnout: Stress and Distress
[17:44] - Mark 6: The Disciples’ Exhaustion
[21:39] - Jesus’ Invitation: Come and Rest
[24:44] - The Importance of Environment for Rest
[27:49] - Interruptions and Compassion
[31:03] - Jesus’ Servant Leadership and Prayer
[34:37] - Depending on God’s Power
[37:56] - Jesus Sees Us in Our Struggle
[41:02] - Jesus Climbs Into Our Boat
[44:02] - My Personal Burnout Story
[49:07] - Auditing Your Life for Burnout
[53:26] - Three Keys to Preventing Burnout
[58:06] - Jesus’ Invitation to Rest
[65:45] - The Best is Yet to Come and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Mark 6, what does Jesus say to his disciples when they return from their ministry trip, and how does he invite them to rest?
When the crowds interrupt Jesus and the disciples’ attempt to rest, how does Jesus respond to the people?
After feeding the 5,000, what does Jesus do while the disciples go ahead in the boat?
What happens when the disciples are struggling in the boat on the lake, and how does Jesus respond to their struggle?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus says “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” instead of just telling the disciples to go rest on their own? What does this reveal about the kind of rest Jesus offers?
The sermon describes how burnout can lead to cynicism, making us see people as interruptions. How does Jesus’ response to the crowd challenge this attitude?
Jesus models withdrawing to pray and recharge after ministry. What does this suggest about the source of true strength and restoration for followers of Jesus?
When the disciples are “straining at the oars,” Jesus sees them and comes to them. What does this teach about Jesus’ awareness of our struggles and his willingness to enter into our mess?

Application Questions

The sermon says rest is a divine invitation, not just a suggestion. Looking at your current weekly routine, are you prioritizing time to rest in God’s presence, or is it being crowded out by other demands? What is one practical change you could make this week to create space for true rest?
When you are tired or overwhelmed, do you tend to see people as interruptions or as beloved creations of God? Can you think of a recent situation where you responded with cynicism instead of compassion? What would it look like to choose compassion next time?
The sermon mentions that “Netflix isn’t a way to recharge” and that only time with God truly restores the soul. What are some “counterfeit” ways you try to recharge? How can you intentionally seek God’s presence through prayer, worship, or Scripture when you feel depleted?
Jesus sees the disciples struggling and comes to them, even in their mess. Is there an area of your life right now where you feel like you’re “straining at the oars”? How does it change your perspective to know that Jesus sees you and wants to climb into your boat?
The pastor shared his own story of burnout and how he needed to “audit” his life. Are there any warning signs of burnout in your relationships, work, or spiritual life? What is one step you can take to address it before it gets worse?
The sermon challenges us to love people more than we love our own comfort. Who is one person in your life right now that you find difficult to love when you’re tired? What is a specific way you can show them Christ-like compassion this week?
Jesus invites us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” What would it look like for you to accept that invitation today? Is there something you need to lay down or surrender to Jesus in order to experience his rest?

Sermon Clips

And Jesus is saying, he's not saying go rest. He's saying, come rest. And that's what's so amazing about Jesus. He's always going first. He's always showing us the way. He's always demonstrating exactly what it takes to live life victoriously. And he's bringing them with them by themselves, without all of that crowd, to a quiet place and get some rest. [00:43:22] (21 seconds)

If you think of the definition, cynicism or depersonalization, it's really easy just to see a person as an interruption. It's very much more difficult if you see them as someone created in the image of the Most High. Built intentionally. Sent intentionally. Living intentionally. With a purpose. Just like you have a purpose. And you have some chance to intersect with them for some reason that you may not even know. That is much more inconvenient than just seeing them as somebody that's in the way. [00:48:01] (28 seconds)

Time after time again, he goes to the Father. He remembers the scripture that he was taught as a boy. He remembers those things. He prays those things out loud. He communes with the Father. He prioritizes it. That's how he keeps going. That's the thing that kept him going. That's what empowered him to do the things that he was doing on this earth. And that's the third thing that we can get from this. Jesus depends on God's power, not his own. [00:50:37] (26 seconds)

But Netflix isn't a way to recharge. You know, a lovely bottle of Pinot Grigio is not a way to recharge. Like there's all these things that could be good. But the thing to do is to go to the source himself and recharge with the God of the universe who loves you, who has sent you, who empowers you, who wants to spend time with you. And we know that's true because that's what Jesus did. [00:51:14] (19 seconds)

We are never too far gone for Jesus to rescue us. I don't know where you find yourself at right now maybe you feel like you are too far gone Jesus will walk on water and climb into your boat friend you're not too far gone there's nothing wrong with you you are loved you are important and Jesus will rescue you just like he did me and so many others in the room [00:55:29] (25 seconds)

People matter a lot more than our comfort matters. Jesus showed us that. Even in that moment where he was tired himself and he knew his disciples were tired, he chose to choose people over comfort. That's one of the ways that we can go against kind of what the world is telling us, where we always see the dignity and the purpose of others. [01:02:42] (24 seconds)

``He loves us that much, and he gives us this beautiful invitation. He says, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you what? 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. [01:04:18] (23 seconds)

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