You tell yourself you’ll take a break after the next big project, once the quarter closes, or when business finally slows down. But when one demanding season ends, another opportunity or responsibility takes its place. Before long, rest keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list.
For CEOs and business leaders, stepping away can feel difficult. Employees depend on you, decisions need to be made, and the business requires consistent attention. Scripture offers a different perspective on rest, one that challenges leaders to examine not only their schedules but also where they place their trust.
So, what does the Bible say about rest, and how can embracing it change the way you lead?
Rest Is Part of God’s Design
Rest has been part of God’s design since creation. In Genesis 2:2–3, God rested on the seventh day after completing His work. He later established a rhythm of work and rest for His people, making Sabbath a regular time to step away from daily responsibilities, worship Him, and enjoy His presence.
Exodus 34:21 states, “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest.”
This instruction offers an important reminder for leaders who feel their responsibilities are too important to put down. God commanded His people to rest even during demanding seasons, including plowing and harvest. Rest was not reserved for the moments when everything was finished.
Sabbath is an opportunity to receive what God has provided. For Christian business leaders, practicing Sabbath means making room for worship, restoration, and a renewed awareness of God’s presence, even when the work remains unfinished.
Why Do Leaders Resist Rest?
The Pressure to Keep Building
Ambitious leaders are accustomed to moving forward. There are new markets to explore, employees to develop, financial targets to reach, and opportunities that seem too important to miss. A strong work ethic can serve a business well, but the constant pursuit of the next milestone can make rest feel irresponsible.
Leaders may believe they need to reach a certain level of growth before they can slow down. Yet the finish line keeps moving. Once one goal is reached, another takes its place.
Over time, this pattern can make working without stopping feel normal. Even when a leader has the opportunity to step away, the thought of unfinished work can make it difficult to disconnect.
Recognizing this pattern requires an honest look at what drives it. Is the workload genuinely unavoidable, or has constant activity become the default?
The Struggle to Release Control
Sometimes, the deeper challenge is trusting that things can continue without our constant involvement.
Business leaders carry significant responsibility, and their decisions can affect employees, customers, and families. It makes sense to care deeply about the outcome. But when responsibility turns into a belief that everything depends on our personal effort, stepping away becomes much harder.
Scripture connects Sabbath with freedom. In Deuteronomy 5:15, God reminds Israel of its former slavery in Egypt as He instructs the people to observe the Sabbath. Rest served as a reminder that they were no longer slaves.
For leaders, this offers a meaningful question: Have you become so attached to producing, achieving, and staying in control that you struggle to stop?
Choosing rest acknowledges that God remains sovereign even when you are not working. Your responsibilities are real, but you are not God, and the entire weight of the business does not rest on your shoulders alone.
What Do Leaders Gain When They Embrace Rest?
Sustained overwork and stress can contribute to fatigue and other health risks. Regular rest gives the body an opportunity to recover and reminds us that our physical limits deserve attention. Caring for your health is part of faithfully stewarding the life God has given you.
Sabbath also creates space for spiritual renewal. When you step away from business demands, you can redirect your attention toward worship, prayer, relationships, and the goodness of God. You have an opportunity to remember that your identity and worth are not determined by your latest accomplishment.
Jesus offers this invitation in Matthew 11:28–30:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
His words speak to those carrying heavy burdens. For leaders accustomed to shouldering responsibility, they offer a reminder that rest begins with coming to Christ, not with getting every detail of life under control.
Embracing Sabbath will not eliminate every business challenge. It can, however, help leaders approach those responsibilities with a renewed perspective, a clearer awareness of their limits, and greater trust in God.
How Can Business Leaders Begin Practicing Sabbath?
Start by examining your current rhythms and ask yourself:
- When was the last time you stepped away from work without mentally running through your to-do list?
- What makes it difficult to disconnect?
Consider establishing a consistent weekly period for rest, worship, and enjoying God. Plan for it rather than waiting for an open space to appear on your calendar. Identify what you need to set aside during that time, whether it is checking email, monitoring business updates, or feeling responsible for every decision.
You may need to communicate expectations with your team or delegate responsibilities more intentionally. Those practical steps can help create room for rest, but the deeper work involves learning to release control and trust God.
Begin with one deliberate change. The practice does not need to be perfect to become meaningful.
Rest Is an Act of Trust
Business leadership requires commitment, discipline, and care for others. It also requires recognizing that you have limits. The biblical invitation to rest challenges leaders to trust God enough to step away from their work and receive the restoration He offers.
C12 South Florida helps Christian business leaders integrate biblical principles into their leadership, business decisions, and personal lives. Through a community of like-minded executives, leaders can pursue business excellence while remaining intentional about their faith, families, and God-given responsibilities. Learn more about C12 South Florida and how you can lead with greater purpose.
Steve Sargent
Principal Chair
