Humans Were Never Meant to Run on Empty: God Knew It First

Halfway Point of 2026

We have made it to the halfway point of 2026! It is officially summer and June is here, Patheos friends! For us Texans- we are bracing ourselves for triple digits temperatures- please stay cool. Apart from the high temperatures, as usual the month of June comes with observances and celebrations. Notably, the month of June is a big one for sports enthusiasts. First, we have the kickoff of the NBA finals on June 3^rd, secondly, we have the start of the Stanley Cup finals on June 4^th, and lastly, we have the kickoff of the long-awaited FIFA World Cup on June 11^th. Three nations are co-hosting this historic soccer world cup for the first time (USA, Canada and Mexico). Forty-eight countries will be participating in 104 matches across sixteen host cities. And our great state of Texas will be hosting matches in two major cities- Dallas and Houston. We are also celebrating fathers on June 21^st for Father’s Day– blessings to all fathers. Finally, on June 28^th we kickoff America’s 250^th celebration. And a shoutout to everyone that has a birthday this month! Blessings and love!

Cultural Phenomenon

That’s quite a lot going on just reading through the introduction. For many people juggling thousand things is a routine and a badge of honor. Our culture promotes exhaustion, busyness and hyperactivity. In fact, stillness is seen as a waste. Recent national data show that exhaustion remains a significant public health concern for Americans. Add to this mix social media- and we have a recipe for exhaustion, not just in children but adults as well. Exhaustion leads to many related stresses induced health concerns. Exhaustion leads to an empty tank- that can be an empty heart, an empty soul, an empty spirit or stressed racked body. Humans were never meant to run on empty. God who created humans, knew this first and showed us the way of the sacred art of rest in His Word. Rest is a lost art in our world today.

Sacred Art of Rest- A Radical Way of Living

The Bible shows us a radically different way of living that is counterculture. Everyone can benefit from this sacred way of living and not just believers in Christ. Rest is holy. Rest is obedience. Rest is trust in God- a declaration that God is God in our lives. In Matthew 11: 28- 30, the Son of God gives us an open invitation to rest that nourishes our spirits, souls and bodies. It states, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This type of rest is not a onetime thing- it is a rhythm that believers in Christ are called to.

Example by Son of God

The Son of God is able to teach His disciples and now believers in Christ this sacred art of rest as the best approach to our world’s hurried way of living, because He lived it Himself. In Mark 6:31, Jesus Christ coaches His disciples and the people He was ministering to. Mark 6:31 states, “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.”

Summer of Action

With summer months upon us, it is a great time to take more action on the sacred art of rest. Rest begins with an understanding of our identity in Christ and not activities. This understanding helps believers in Christ resist the lies and deception that busyness is a badge of honor and worth. When people reclaim their identities in Christ, they enter into a rhythm of belovedness, which in turn silences the noise of cultural lies on performance. From the place of an understanding about identity flows the posture of obedience to the sacred art of rest. This is where practice comes in. Not just the once-a-week practice of sabbath day, but the practice of sabbath moments during the week in prayer, worship and study of God’s Word. Sabbath moments during the week makes space for renewal in the soul, spirit and body. Rest is restorative practice. It is a spiritual necessity. Rest says- I am beloved of God and He sustains me. Let’s live from a place of rest, because humans were never meant to run on empty- God knew that and has shown us the way. It is now left to us, to obey Him or disobey. Let us choose wisely!