We’ve rapped about work/rest rhythms multiple times over the 4+ years we’ve been podcasting together. We’ve unpacked four of them in the past:

1. Daily – Genesis 1:5 – hard edges on workday.
2. Weekly – Genesis 2:2 – a weekly pause. Sabbath
3. Quarterly – reset every 90 days.
4. Annual – a real vacation

In today’s episode we explore a fifth rhythm – capacity vs. demand on said capacity. This rhythm is trickier than the first four. Why?

• It’s hard to accurately measure how much I have in the tank vs. how much I’m expending. A 40-hour week of routine tasks is not the same as a 40-hour week filled with high-demand tasks.

So, if we can agree on the premise of this fifth rhythm . . . that not all tasks/work hours are created equally in terms of their demand on our capacity . . . I would like us to shed more light on rhythm #5.

• Implementing this rhythm starts with trust – trusting God will take our responsible efforts and turn them into something impactful.
• What do responsible efforts and trust look like?
  • Avoiding multiple long-hour days in a row.
  • Getting wiser about what events I commit to/how much time I commit to them.
  • Being thoughtful about travel.
  • Refusing to descend into workaholic mode when challenges arise.
  • Reminding ourselves regularly the organization we serve is God’s baby not ours!
• Pay close attention to warning signs that demand is exceeding your capacity:
  • Heightened irritability.
  • Sleep disturbance.
  • The first four rhythms no longer delivering the refreshing they have in the past.
  • Your calendar is bereft of friendship appointments.

Here’s what we’re not saying today: To abandon the first four rhythms. Please be diligent with them! We’re challenging you to consider a fifth rhythm: Our capacity compared to the demands on our capacity.