We often measure success by how much we do, but true thriving comes from knowing when to pause. Creating time for rest can restore balance in our lives, allowing us to engage more fully more sports, life, and our relationships.
"Mom, I've been invited to play in a basketball tournament. Can I participate?" I confidently asked. "Is it on Sunday?" she replied. "Yes," I confirmed. Her response was a firm no. "Why not?" I pressed. "We will not participate in organized Sunday activities," she explained.
Her responses shouldn't have surprised me. Growing up, I often saw my parents as overly strict for not allowing me to participate in Sunday events. I questioned whether they were holding me back or if they didn't want to attend the events. I frequently felt that I was missing out because I could not do much on Sundays. However, I eventually came to understand their reasoning.
In Exodus 20:8-11, the concept of Sabbath rest emphasizes the importance of intentional pauses in our work to rejuvenate physically and spiritually, creating space for worship, family time, and rest. Taking proper rest is not just a personal choice; it powerfully aligns with the biblical mandate to care for the bodies God has entrusted to us. Scripture makes it clear that rest is integral to our well-being. In Genesis 2:2-3, God Himself rested on the seventh day after creation, providing a profound example of the necessity and sacredness of rest. We acknowledge rest's essential role in our lives by mirroring this divine rhythm.
While Sabbath rest is essential, it isn't the only time rest is crucial to our lives. In the world of sports, we often view rest as a weakness instead of an integral practice for performance. As parents, when we push our children into sports with the sole intention of becoming successful in their craft, we may inadvertently overlook their emotional and mental well-being.
Prioritizing rest is not merely a lifestyle choice but a vital expression of honoring the bodies God has given us.
To put it in perspective, of the 537,438 student-athletes participating in high school basketball, only 19,213 will play in college; out of those, just 4,270 will even be eligible for the draft, and a mere 46 will get drafted (NCAA). The harsh reality is that the intense pressure we place on them does not guarantee success; instead, it risks extinguishing the joy of sport. Imagine a young athlete, full of passion, who shows excitement about playing the game they love. Now picture that same child, exhausted, driven to commitment beyond their capability—only to eventually lose that initial spark. The pervasive mindset that the more we practice, the better we become can lead to devastating consequences.
Sports should be a powerful motivator for keeping physically and mentally active, yet athletes often push themselves relentlessly, ignoring the crucial need for repair and recovery. A recent article by U.S. News Report highlights a staggering statistic: "as many as 7 in 10 kids drop out of youth sports by the age of 13 due to burnout and overtraining." Just think about the dreams dashed and the potential talents lost. Children who once loved the game now view it as a burden instead of a source of joy.
I believe the rest that my parents prioritized helped me to never lose the passion for the sports that I participated in, allowing me to be greatly impacted by coaches who changed the trajectory of my life. All this was accomplished because my parents intentionally gave me space for this rest for both spiritual and physical reasons.
This shift in perspective is vital. By fostering an environment committed to excellence and pursuit of reaching athletes’ highest potential, sports can still be a celebration of togetherness, skill-building, and healthy habits that last a lifetime. When children learn to play without the looming dread of performance pressure, they not only develop vital life skills, such as teamwork and discipline, but they also cultivate a love for physical activity that can sustain them into adulthood. This joy does not happen if you never give space to rest.
Despite the evidence, society continues to insist that we must do more. We take pride in being busy, using it as a conversation starter to demonstrate our importance, hard work, or accomplishments. I used to wear my long hours as a badge of honor, overlooking how burnt out I was. Through my experiences with burnout, I learned the importance of rest and how neglecting it led to numerous inefficiencies in my personal and professional life. Too often, work took precedence over relationships, Bible studies, and even family events, sending a clear message to those around me that they were less important than my job. It was clear that never resting and always wanting to do more in the area I was committed to led to hindered relationships.
It’s all too easy to overlook the importance of rest and focus on achieving excellence; they can coexist. When prioritizing rest, we better equip ourselves to recover physically, emotionally, and mentally. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, we learn that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that caring for ourselves through ample rest is an essential act of stewardship.
Prioritizing rest is not merely a lifestyle choice but a vital expression of honoring the bodies God has given us. By embracing this principle, we can cultivate a more balanced, fulfilling life in sports and beyond that allows us to use our gifts to bring glory to God with greater joy and effectiveness.
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For this seasoned caddie, the golf course is a place where meaningful revelation and deep relationships intertwine. Each round offers a moment of gratitude to God, while the connections made with golfers and fellow caddies enrich the experience, adding a deeper sense of purpose to his work.
How we use our time reveals our values and priorities—are we creating space for peace, service, and meaningful connection, or are we caught in the cycle of constant productivity? True stewardship of time asks us to consider where our boundaries lie and how we engage with the world around us.