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1000 sabbaths can't cure this
Published about 4 hours ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader,
I know a lot of leaders who are prioritizing Sabbath, time off and even Sabbaticals.
And... they're still tired. What gives?
My wife Toni and I just wrapped up a very wild season. We both released books within a month of each other, which means we both spent the last two years writing and editing books. In case you were wondering, that's intense. But we made it, and we celebrated.
But writing a book always comes on top of your regularly scheduled programming. So it means compressing everything into the available days.
When I got to the other side of the double launch, and my pace got back to more of a normal, sane level, I noticed something in my everyday work I hadn't felt in a minute—I had time to breathe. To think. To dream. Even to reimagine how I'd tackle the work ahead.
And you know what comes from that kind of margin? Well, art and delight and the best work you can do.
Crushing a to-do list is the enemy of real art, innovative work, and of creative, masterful sermons.
The point? Too many leaders run at an insane pace, make it to their Sabbath, crash, rest, and repeat.
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1000 Sabbaths won't heal that.
It's like running a marathon six days a week at a sprinter's pace and thinking that a day off is going to heal your spent muscles and aching joints. It won't. 1000 Sabbaths won't heal that.
2027 is right around the corner. As you plot out the year, have you left enough time for pausing, for wonder and delight in the everyday?
If you do, you'll be amazed at how much more you like your work. And how much better at it you are.
Money Conversations Don’t Have to Feel Awkward and Lonely
Have you ever talked about money at church felt the air get sucked out of the room?
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Cheering for you,
P.S. A good rule of thumb is to live in a way today that will help you thrive tomorrow.
Carey Nieuwhof Communications, PO Box 160, Oro Medonte, Ontario L0L 2X0
Carey Nieuwhof
Where 100,000+ leaders get top insights to thrive in life and leadership.
Don’t settle for an impact smaller than you’re called to make. It's time to unlock your potential and lead confidently into a future filled with growth — for yourself, your church, and your mission. Get access to some of my best leadership content, only published in my newsletters.
