I've spoken to quite a few Executive Directors lately who are facing burnout and discouragement. Leading a nonprofit, especially in the pro-life movement, is emotionally, spiritually, and mentally draining. Between changing staff, waning funds, upcoming elections, and evolving state laws surrounding abortion, many are feeling overwhelmed. If you're one of those leaders, I want to remind you of the importance of sabbath.
Sabbath is more than just taking a day off or attending church—it’s about finding intentional time to rest in the presence of God, to renew your mind, heart, and spirit. Without proper boundaries and regular periods of rest, it becomes almost impossible to lead well. Mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal is critical to sustain the work God has called us to do.
The Gift of Sabbath
For the past year or so, I have felt the Lord calling me to embrace sabbath more deeply. It’s not simply a break from tasks; it’s the invitation to step away from the noise and obligations of daily life and rest in Him. Sabbath isn’t just a day, but moments of silence, solitude, and stillness where we can meet God.
Silence and solitude are necessary for sabbath, yet they can be uncomfortable. In a world that thrives on busyness, finding peace in silence feels unnatural. For me, this discomfort is rooted in growing up in a chaotic home and raising three boys. However, without silence, I cannot fully listen to what God is saying. And I want to hear Him.
Solitude and Silence: Creating Space for God
To create space for sabbath, I’ve learned to carve out moments of silence and solitude in my daily life. Sometimes, that’s as simple as sitting in the corner of my dining room with my Bible and journal. Other times, it’s stepping outside my home and into the reflection garden at my church. I need these places of meeting with God, whether at home or out in nature, because they ground me.
Scripture offers beautiful examples of solitude and meeting with God. Exodus 33:7 tells us that Moses pitched a tent far outside the camp, calling it the “tent of meeting.” It wasn’t a special building; it was just a tent in the wilderness. But when God’s presence came, it became a holy place where Moses spoke with God face-to-face.
Elijah’s encounter with God was similar. After fleeing from Jezebel, he traveled to Mount Horeb, where he met God in a cave (1 Kings 19). Both Moses and Elijah had to leave their usual surroundings and go to remote places to hear from God. Their surroundings weren’t exactly comfortable, but the presence of God transformed them into sacred spaces.
Filling Up to Pour Out
The call to sabbath is not just for our benefit—it equips us to lead well and care for others. As leaders, we give so much of ourselves to our teams, our clients, and our families. Without times of rest, we quickly deplete ourselves. The more time we spend with God, the more He fills us with the peace, wisdom, and strength we need to lead.
Sabbath is not an act of selfishness. It is an essential act of stewardship. We must care for our minds, spirits, and bodies if we want to serve others well. By modeling this rest for our staff, we set an example that empowers them to do the same. Rested leaders create healthier, more resilient teams. It’s no coincidence that burnout leads to poor decision-making, strained relationships, and decreased morale at work. When we take time to fill up, we empower not only ourselves but also those around us.
Leading from a Place of Rest
In times of stress—whether from declining funds, staff turnover, political uncertainty, or legal changes—it can be tempting to push harder, work longer, and try to solve everything on our own. But this is when we need sabbath the most. When we pause and invite God into our struggles, He renews our strength.
Taking regular time to sabbath allows us to meet the challenges of leadership with fresh eyes. It’s about becoming, not just doing. The work of a pregnancy center director is about so much more than managing staff, balancing budgets, and navigating political change. It’s about being in step with God’s purpose, moving at His pace, and leading with His wisdom.
Resting for the Long Haul
Leadership, especially in the nonprofit world, is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking intentional time to rest and meet with God is the only way to sustain the journey. Consider not just the annual vacations, but regular moments of sabbath—weekly, monthly, even daily.
What if, instead of waiting for burnout to force us into rest, we preemptively built sabbath into our schedules? What if we led from a place of peace rather than from exhaustion? Imagine how this would impact our teams, our families, and the mothers we serve at the centers. When we lead from a place of rest, we can offer our best selves to the work God has called us to.
Resting for the Long Haul
Leadership, especially in the nonprofit world, is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking intentional time to rest and meet with God is the only way to sustain the journey. Consider not just the annual vacations, but regular moments of sabbath—weekly, monthly, even daily.
What if, instead of waiting for burnout to force us into rest, we preemptively built sabbath into our schedules? What if we led from a place of peace rather than from exhaustion? Imagine how this would impact our teams, our families, and the mothers we serve at the centers. When we lead from a place of rest, we can offer our best selves to the work God has called us to.
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