You have likely noticed the guy on the side of the highway with a large sign, perhaps advertising a new pizza place or bringing attention to a furniture sale. Some of the sign-holders passively hold the sign with one hand, leaning back against a pole as they scroll on their phones. Others dance, passionately spin the sign, and seem to genuinely enjoy what they are doing. I have often thought, “I would love to be him right now,” because in my mind, he goes home after work and work doesn’t go home with him. There are times I have not loved the burning restlessness that is within me and within all leaders I have interacted with.
Resolve is pre-deciding you won’t quit. And the only way to enjoy the fruit of resolve is to hold both restlessness and rest at the same time.
Christian leaders have an unfair advantage when it comes to resolve because our faith teaches us to hold both restlessness and rest. Christians can live with holy restlessness because we are not satisfied with the status quo in a broken world. Yet we can rest because our ultimate identity and security are found in Christ, not in our leadership outcomes.
My favorite chapter in Nehemiah’s leadership journal is Nehemiah 13, where we see Nehemiah struggle as we struggle…with hopes dashed, plans derailed, and expectations missed. I love the chapter because it reminds me that I am not alone and reminds me to rest in my God. When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem after years away, he discovered the people had broken every vow they had made: the Temple neglected, the Sabbath ignored, and religious intermarriages happening again. He did not give up and go back to Persia, as appealing as that may have been. In his restlessness, he confronted and corrected. But he also rested in his God. In fact, the book ends with his resting in God: “…Remember me, my God, with favor” (Nehemiah 13:31).
To enjoy the fruit of resolve, you need both roots of restlessness and rest. As a Christian, you already know where your true rest is found. You don’t have to let your restlessness consume you. By resting in Christ, your restlessness is purified by Him. In my new book, The Rooted Leader, there is a whole chapter designed to help you live with restlessness and rest like Nehemiah did.
