As we move into the darker winter months and start to plan for Christmas, I’ve been reflecting on Jesus’ work ethic and what we can learn from it for this season. Looking at the rhythm of His ministry, I noticed that He was never overwhelmed by emails, nor bogged down with an endless to-do list. He had a clear purpose and plan, yet He was refreshingly interruptible. Despite the needs around Him, Jesus didn’t rush past people—He stopped, engaged, and genuinely cared. But how did He manage this, especially given the pressures and expectations on Him?
The key lies in His commitment to withdrawing for prayer. Jesus made it a priority to regularly retreat to quiet places to reconnect with His Father. This wasn’t a one-off event; it was a part of His lifestyle, His rhythm. For Jesus, ministry was balanced by intentional times of refreshment and communion with His Father. This rhythm sustained Him, providing clarity, strength, and the capacity to minister fully without losing sight of His purpose. It’s a model of balance that feels especially meaningful as we prepare for the demands of Christmas time.
This pattern of retreat and refreshment is one we need to emulate in our own lives and ministries. Without taking intentional time to withdraw and reconnect with God, we risk running on empty, missing the true purpose of our ministry, and ultimately rushing past people’s needs.
Jesus’ invitation to us in Matthew 11:28-30 offers a glimpse into how we can cultivate this life-giving rhythm:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Jesus’ words are both a comfort and a gentle reminder that we are invited into His “unforced rhythms of grace.” We are not asked to carry burdens that aren’t ours, nor are we called to work at an unsustainable pace. Instead, Jesus models a life lived in sync with God’s rhythm—a pace that allows us to breathe, pause, and engage meaningfully with the people around us.
Sixteen years ago, when we transitioned from a large, bustling church environment to a small “one-road-in, one-road-out” estate, I was overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the needs around me. The demands of a new ministry felt all-consuming. In my efforts to keep up, I came dangerously close to burnout, entangled in timetables and to-do lists that left little room for flexibility or prayer.
During that time, I quickly learned three invaluable lessons: first, I am not superhuman; second, I am not the solution to every problem; and third, I needed a rhythm, not a rigid timetable. The latter was essential for my survival and for the sustainability of the ministry. It was no longer about rushing to meet every need, but rather about moving at a pace that allowed me to hear God’s voice and follow His guidance. And like nature’s seasons, our lives and ministries have their own rhythms too.
As the days grow shorter and our schedules fill with events, meetings, and needs, I encourage all of us to consider Jesus’ rhythm of work and rest. Just as nature takes this time to slow down and prepare for winter, we too can use this season to reconnect with God, reflect on what He has done, and look with hope to what He will do. If we don’t, we risk losing sight of the “why” behind our ministry and losing the “saltiness” that makes us distinctive as followers of Jesus and carriers of His Kingdom.
In the busy season to come, may we resist the urge to rush. Instead, let’s choose a sustainable pace, one that allows space for meaningful interactions and time for refreshment in God’s presence. Embracing these rhythms won’t remove the demands on our time, but it will give us the capacity to meet them with grace, patience, and a heart that’s truly engaged. Our Father invites us to walk with Him, not ahead of Him, in a rhythm that brings life rather than exhaustion.
This winter, let’s embrace the unforced rhythms of grace, remembering that we’re invited to walk and work with Jesus. In His rhythm, we find the rest we need and the strength to serve others for the long haul. 🎄
