This article appears in the Spring 2024 issue of the FCA Donor Publication. The FCA publication is a gift from our FCA staff to all donors giving $50 or more annually. For more information about giving, visit here.
Who else is tired? Almost every day, I meet a leader who has reached his or her limit.
I’ve been personally learning the lesson of limits during the last 18 months. More than 100 speaking events, a rebrand and merger, countless SkyMiles, and growing demands of leading a company have all contributed. If I’m honest, most of the demands are self-imposed—I can be demanding. In an on-demand world, it’s hard to go slow. Unfortunately, many leaders confuse activity with accomplishment, and they carry the burden of futility.
Speaking of carrying, if you want something hauled, call me. I’m your guy. I drive a big truck. I even have seats if you need to move some people. But if you need to go fast, you’ll need to call someone else. I didn’t know it when I bought it, but my truck has a governor (speed controller) on the engine. Imagine how shocked I was when I hit the highway and opened it up, only to discover it’ll only go 95 miles per hour. Now, I know what you’re thinking: Why would somebody who’s hauling stuff or moving people need to go faster than 95? It’s a fair question, but it’s good to know you can if you need to.
There will be times, even seasons, when you will push the limits. But above all else guard your heart. It will only go so fast for so long. No one else can lead your soul. Only you. But there is One who can give it rest.
-Randy Gravitt, CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) LeadEveryDay.com
Our leadership can be a lot like my truck; the limits are real. Anybody feel like your foot is on the gas and your life won’t go any faster? No more time or energy to be found. The reality is when we redline our lives, things start to break. Relationships, marriages, friendships and, worst of all, souls. We were made for intimacy with God.
Paul made it clear when he said, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Ambition and quiet in the same sentence ... brilliant! Somehow, we missed the memo.
Then there was Jesus. In Matthew 11:28, He asked a simple question and made a promise. My non-Greek version ... Anybody tired? Anybody weary? Anybody trying to go faster than 95? Come to Me, and I will give you rest.
I’ve been listening around, and Jesus is the only one I’ve heard say, “I will give you rest.” That’s because He’s the only one who can give rest. He is the source of your soul.
Better is Different
If you have reached your limits, maybe it’s time for a change. If so, consider the following practices to help you slow down and find rest:
Sleep
Begin by assessing your physical rest. Sleep is a major part of the rhythm God created, and yet we somehow think it’s okay to violate His plan. You really do need about 8 hours of good deep sleep every day. Time for a new pillow? To adjust the temperature in your room? To turn off your screen the last hour of the day? To schedule a nap? Yes, God gives sleep to the one He loves (Psalm 127:2). Invite Him to help you reset your rest.
Read the Bible ... slowly
I love the YouVersion app, but 90 seconds of reading Scripture is a quick time, not a quiet time. You have an invitation, remember? Come to Me, and I will give you rest. In my experience, rest takes time. Jesus is not running a drive-through. Love goes slow! Change your quick time to quiet time and your soul will be refreshed.
Pray
I rarely meet a believer who thinks they pray enough. I know I don’t. Scripture says to pray without ceasing. Perhaps we should all lighten up and decide to make our whole lives a prayer. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be times when you get on your face and bow your life before the One who gives rest. I would recommend you kneel daily. But maybe real rest comes when we have an ongoing dialogue with Jesus. Those ongoing conversations create intimacy. Try it; it will remind you that you and Jesus are in in this thing together. How cool is that?
It would be great if you could cruise control your life, set the speed around 70 and maintain it. That’s naïve. There will be times, even seasons, when you will push the limits. But above all else guard your heart. It will only go so fast for so long. No one else can lead your soul. Only you. But there is One who can give it rest. I encourage you to accept the invitation.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we want to lead well as we seek to build Your Kingdom. But we also acknowledge our many weaknesses. Renew and refresh us daily through prayer, Your Word and the physical rest we need. In Jesus' name, amen.
BIO: Randy Gravitt is an author, speaker and executive coach who encourages leaders to reach their potential. In 2014, Randy founded Lead Every Day where he currently serves as the CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), leading a team of coaches and consultants who work with high-performance leaders, organizations and teams around the world. As a speaker, his audiences include Chick-fil-A, Grand Hyatt, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Kroger and the Winshape Foundation. He has also served as a key teacher in FCA's Don McClanen Experience (DME) and as one of the leadership coaches for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Buffalo Bills. Randy’s writing includes two books, Finding Your Way and Unstuck, and he has a daily podcast, The Lead Every Day Show, with former Chick-fil-A VP of Leadership Development, Mark Miller. Randy and his wife, Laura, live in Sharpsburg, Georgia.
-FCA-