Episode 11: Rest for the Weary
An interview with Lindsey Lee
Are you feeling weary and resting seems out of the question? Listen as Lindsey encourages "Olive Us" to redefine how rest looks in this pandemic season. Lindsey shares the tension of balancing family, work, personal life, grief, and being obedient to God's call to REST.
The Seeds
Name: Lindsey Lee
Age: 36
Relationship Status: Married
Season of Work: Community Pastor at Epic Church, San Francisco
Hobbies: Texting with Rachael (LOL,) hanging out with friends, cooking
Interesting Facts about me: I’m not that interesting (so not true true Lindsey!)
Jesus Journey: When I was 18 I started to follow Jesus. God really changed my life when I was in college and I started to learn what it means to be his child and to give my life over to Him.
The Branches
How would you define rest? What did rest look like for you prior to the pandemic and what does rest look like now?
I define rest as sabbath…the ability to pause…peace within no matter what outside circumstances look like.
Pre-pandemic - rest looked like me having time by myself for something that was life-giving to me. It was so easy to get a few hours to myself. Each week I was able to create physical, tangible space in order to connect with God and find peace. Pre-pandemic everything, including rest, seemed easily accessible.
Rest in this current season is more difficult. Shelter in place means we are working, schooling, worshiping, and everything else from home. There’s less physical separation of different areas of life for most of us. It’s been hard to separate when work/school ends and home life or rest begins.
I’ve had to be more intentional about finding rest and shifting focus to create space, sabbath, and pause internally.
What’s the difference between self-care and true rest (aka soul care?) Why isn’t self-care enough?
I think about self-care as taking care of my physical self (and even mental and emotional self) but more focused on external or tangible things. I define rest or soul care as something that is happening internally. For me, self-care can lead to soul care. It can be a step toward soul care but self care alone…isn’t enough. For us to truly experience rest, it has to be both physical and internal.
How do you make sure you’re getting the adequate rest you need to avoid burnout in all areas of your life?
Have honest conversations with myself, God, & community. Develop rhythms of rest, know what my red flags are, and ask for help when I need it - therapy.
What spiritual disciplines or rhythms of renewal do you practice in order to tend to your soul?
Typical spiritual disciplines are helpful to me like Bible reading and prayer. Quiet time (spending time in silence) has also been important to me.
God wants rest for us! God desires that we come to Him over and over again. I think about Matthew 11:28 - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
There is no secret to finding rest in our lives. Rest is not out of reach and God isn’t holding out on us. God offers rest to us in Himself.
A lot of people are actually working MORE hours even though we are sheltered in place here in San Francisco. Despite social calendars being cleared and life as we all knew it a distant memory…it seems we are busier than ever! Is it even possible to rest in this season?
Yes! In this season, it’s less about resting alone and more about figuring out how to rest as a family. We are taking walks, picnics outside with to-go food, movie night, reading out loud-- finding moments we can stop working or doing school and sabbath together. I am still finding ways to get some time alone each week, mostly by going on a walk or a drive by myself.
We're all “in process” so nobody has anything down perfect. How can we help each other by holding each other accountable when it comes to resting and implementing Sabbath? How do we walk alongside each other knowing that our lives right now look very different?
We can help each other by asking questions. When I check in with close friends, here are some things I ask:
Did you get to rest today?
How are you resting this week?
What area in life do you feel overwhelmed in right now?
What would be most helpful to you right now? How can I best support you as a friend?
We can help each other by being honest with each other. When friends check in with you, tell the truth about how you are doing. It’s ok if you are struggling or feeling overwhelmed. Give close friends the opportunity to encourage you and serve you.
The Olive Tree
Olive Us was created for women to share their experiences through life and their "Only God" moments so that we can remember we are connected through Christ and that we're not alone. Why is this important?
It’s so important to know that we are not alone. God has given us Himself and each other. God has given us community so that we can work out our faith together and remind each other of what is true about God and about ourselves. We have to stay connected in order to show up for each other.
Finish these statements:
God is….with us.
We can REST because…God is at work.
“Olive Us” are better when…you take care of your soul.
Olives to Go
Here are some of my favorite resources on the spiritual discipline of rest & sabbath:
“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: Day by Day” by Pete Scazzero https://amzn.to/3icTTWu
“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer https://amzn.to/2YK4Nv7
“Soul Keeping” by John Ortberg https://amzn.to/38fJLYy
“The Celebration of Disciplines” by Richard Foster https://amzn.to/2VxHbIe