When Productivity Becomes an Idol: Reclaiming Rest and Renewal

By Daniel Drewski, President, International Leadership Institute

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I was sitting with a Central Asian leader, reflecting on how our cultures shape how we follow Jesus. As we danced around many of Hofstede's cultural dimensions, he said something that I'll never forget:

“In Western relationships, there’s always a third party—the deal.”

He described how relationships in the West often revolve around achieving a goal or closing a transaction. I couldn’t help but reflect on my tendency to treat people as a means to an end.

How often have I focused on what I could accomplish through a relationship rather than valuing the person as an image-bearer of God?

I realized at that moment that I had begun to love productivity over people. It wasn’t intentional, but it was insidious.

Our culture’s obsession with busyness had seeped into my heart, clouding my ability to see others as God sees them.

That’s when God began opening my eyes to the gift of Sabbath. It wasn’t just about rest but about realigning my heart and priorities to match His.

The Leadership Crisis of Burnout

The Western fixation on productivity is costly, and leaders are paying the price. A landmark study by Deloitte revealed that 70% of C-Suite executives are at risk of burnout, with many considering leaving their organizations in search of better workplace cultures.

Even more concerning, 73% of executives report feeling unable to fully disconnect from work, even when they take time off.

David Banaghan, a leader in HR recruitment, highlights how burnout drives turnover, with 20% to 50% of employee departures linked to burnout.

This issue isn’t just a matter of workplace dissatisfaction—it’s a systemic problem affecting the well-being of leaders and their teams.

For Christian leaders, burnout is more than exhaustion—it’s a spiritual vulnerability. When we’re overworked and overwhelmed, we’re more susceptible to temptation, compromise, and despair. Our ability to lead with clarity, conviction, and integrity suffers.

But God has provided a solution. It’s not found in corporate wellness programs or better time management techniques. It’s found in the ancient rhythm of the Sabbath.

The Biblical Application of Sabbath

Sabbath is not just a pause in our schedules—it’s a spiritual discipline that aligns our hearts with God’s. As Exodus 20:8-10 commands:

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God."

Sabbath is an act of trust. It requires courage to stop striving and rest, knowing God is in control. It’s a declaration that we believe He can accomplish more in six days than we can in seven.

When God commanded Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, He told him:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

Joshua wasn’t just stepping into a land of opportunity—he was stepping into a life of reliance on God’s strength. In the same way, Sabbath invites us to be strong and courageous by trusting God’s provision rather than our own efforts.

For my family, Sabbath has become a transformative practice. Setting aside one full day each week to rest, reflect, and worship has strengthened our relationships, deepened our faith, and renewed our energy for the work God has called us to.

It’s a weekly reminder that people matter more than productivity and that God, not our work, is the source of true fruitfulness.

Abiding in Christ: The Promise of Fruit

Jesus tells us in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

This is the essence of Sabbath. It’s not just about resting from our work—it’s about resting in Christ. When we abide in Him, He produces the fruit.

Think about the freedom this brings. We don’t have to strive to produce results in our own strength. Our job is to remain connected to the vine, trusting that He will provide the wisdom, energy, and outcomes we need.

Burnout happens when we disconnect from the vine and try to produce fruit independently. But Sabbath restores that connection. It reminds us that the weight of our work doesn’t rest on our shoulders—it rests on His.

God’s promise is clear: He will produce the fruit when we abide in Him. Our role is to trust, rest, and be faithful in the work He has given us—not to carry burdens we were never meant to bear.

A Vision for Courageous Rest

Imagine a world where leaders embrace the courage to rest. Where executives, pastors, and entrepreneurs lead from a place of Christ-like refreshment rather than burnout.

Where relationships take precedence over transactions, and people are valued as image-bearers of God.

This is the future God invites us into. It’s a future where leaders are empowered by His strength, not drained by their own striving. A future where Sabbath becomes more than a command—it becomes a life-giving rhythm that transforms our hearts, relationships, and leadership.

So today, I challenge you: Be strong and courageous. Trust the God who calls you to rest. Abide in Christ, the true vine.

And watch as He produces the fruit, both in your life and in the lives of those you lead.

You can reach Daniel at [email protected].

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