Leading Well Through the Holiday Season – a six-part series aimed to help you lead and live well throughout the Holiday Season
By Bianca Schaefer
Week 1: Leading Well with Rhythms of Rest
As this season begins, you may have already felt the familiar pull—an inbox filling faster, expectations rising, and a quiet longing for space to breathe. You are not alone; many leaders feel this tension, and sleep and rest become the first thing we sacrifice.
Leading well during the holiday season begins with a posture of rest—an intentional decision to resist the cultural pressure to speed up when everything around us accelerates. As a woman leading in ministry, the marketplace, or even emerging leadership, you may feel the weight of carrying others through this season. Yet leadership rooted in Christ begins not with striving, but with Sabbath.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28)
Rest is not passive; it is a spiritual discipline. It recalibrates your heart, your pace, and your priorities so you can lead from overflow rather than exhaustion. This week we invite you to intentionally create rhythms of rest throughout the holidays so your leadership reflects the peace of Christ..
1. Protect Your Energy
Your energy is a stewardship issue. Not everything is yours to carry. Before saying yes to a holiday task, invitation, or initiative, pause and ask:
Does this align with my assignment in this season?
Do I have the capacity to give my best yes?
Will this draw me closer to Christ or drain what I need for obedience?
Jesus Himself withdrew to quiet places not because He was weak, but because He led with wisdom. You can, too.
2. Honour Sabbath
During a season filled with events, gatherings, services, and deadlines, Sabbath often gets squeezed out. But Sabbath is where clarity is restored, burdens are lifted, and God recentres your perspective.
Choose one day—or even a protected block of time each week—where work ceases and your soul breathes. Turn off notifications. Go for a walk. Worship. Have a bath. Let your mind settle and your spirit reconnect.
3. Embrace "Slow Moments"
Not every pocket of rest needs to be long. Slow moments can interrupt the frenzy: lighting a candle, sitting with a warm drink, reading a Psalm before bed, breathing deeply, or taking a quiet car ride without noise.
These small pauses help calm our mind and restore our nervous system.
Reflection Questions
Where is God inviting you to slow down or simplify in this season?
What rhythm of rest could restore your energy and focus this week?
Leadership Challenge
Choose one rhythm of rest to protect this week—Sabbath time, quiet moments, or limiting unnecessary commitments.
Scripture Meditation
Meditate on Matthew 11:28. Read it slowly three times and notice which word or phrase stands out.
Prayer
Lord, as this season begins, help me to lead from a place of rest in You. Quiet my spirit, guard my energy, and help me honour the Sabbath You gifted me. Let my leadership reflect Your peace, not pressure. Amen.
Blessing
May the peace of Christ settle over your mind, restore your energy, and guide your leadership with calm confidence.