Late rehearsals. Early Sunday mornings.
Planning sets, writing charts.
Fixing tech issues in a post-COVID reality.
Showing up when you’re tired. Striving because you’re empty.
Have you ever wondered, “Does this even matter?”
Recently, I asked myself that same question, realizing that the enemy at my door was exploiting my exhaustion and mindset. I was in a season where everyone needed something. I was juggling too many projects and growing frustrated with everything that wasn’t going the way I planned. I had no more bandwidth to be creative—or excited—about ministry or new ideas.
Deep down, I knew this wasn’t the Jesus way. Serving everyone around me until I dropped? That’s not the model He gave us.
The only remedy for my thought patterns was to get off the Ferris wheel and just stop. I had to lean into a new rhythm, one that included intentional rest in the Lord.
Jesus modeled this so beautifully. He spent time with His Father. He withdrew to lonely places to pray. He turned off the noise and stepped away from the hustle. Jesus knew how to recharge.
I was reminded the other day that, in several stories from the Gospels, the disciples had to wake Jesus up—wake Him up!—in the middle of precarious moments.
Shoe drop: Jesus napped—guilt free, I might add. And so should I.
(Mind blowing, right?)
So I accepted His invitation: to walk as He walked. Not the “serve until you drop” way, but with rhythms of rest, solitude, and prayer.
A true Sabbath made all the difference.
“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.”
— Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV)
When we feel like we’re running on fumes, we leave the door open for the enemy to mess with our mindset… and when that happens, it can begin to mess with our ministry.
Maybe you serve your team, your church, or your family—and you’ve wondered the same thing:
Is what I’m doing even making an impact?
If that’s you, I want to encourage you with two simple steps:
- Step back and rest.
Take a day to say “no” to everything you have to do. Read. Pray. Sleep. Refuel. Give yourself permission to pause.
- Remember your calling has purpose.
Every word you sing. Every prayer you pray. Every sacrifice you make. Every moment you press through—it all matters. Because this is the Lord’s work. And we’re not doing the heavy lifting.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
As worship leaders and music people, we’re not just filling time in a service. When we lead others in worship, we are pointing hearts to Jesus. And the beautiful truth is: the Holy Spirit takes it from there.
The easy yoke Jesus offers is all about connection to Him. We connect with Him—and it is the Holy Spirit who moves hearts. It’s a pretty good deal… if we can learn to embrace the rhythm of Matthew 11.
So don’t let burnout steal your joy or blur your purpose.
Keep showing up.
Keep Jesus first.
Keep worshipping.
Keep connecting with the Father.
Keep letting go of what you can’t carry.
The Kingdom is being built—one heart at a time. And we get to be a part of that.
Praying:
Lord, thank You for every worship leader who continues to show up, even when it’s hard. Breathe fresh life into weary hearts. Restore the joy of their calling. Remind them that every act of service, every song, and every moment of surrender is building Your Kingdom. Help us to keep our eyes on You, to stay tender in Your presence, and to lead others with love and humility. Refresh us, renew us, and keep us rooted in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Encouraging Worshippers and Equipping Singers @ WorshipSingers.com