As I prepare to enter my sabbatical year, one of the things I deeply desire is to experience real rest—not just physical rest, but soul-deep rest. I want to enjoy the things I love doing without the pressure to perform or produce. I want to live this year without rushing, without comparing, and without constantly measuring my worth by what I accomplish.
I’ve come to understand that pressure often comes when we do things outside our natural flow. That’s when stress creeps in—when we force ourselves to keep up with expectations, whether they’re from other people or our own inner voice. Pressure pushes us beyond our healthy limits. It disconnects us from peace. And when there is no peace, there is no true rest.
So this year, I’m reminding myself of this: if something is starting to feel forced or too heavy, maybe it’s not meant for this season. Rest isn’t just about doing less—it’s about doing what feels aligned with how God wired me. When I operate within what’s natural for me, I can breathe better. Think clearer. And I believe, in that space, good things are born—things that are life-giving and sustainable.
One of the dreams I’ve had for this sabbatical is to share my faith through a creative outlet. At first, I thought it would be a podcast. But the more I tried planning it, the more I realized it didn’t feel right. It felt too heavy for me right now. I became insecure about how I speak, about my voice, and whether I could truly connect with people that way.
And then I paused.
I asked myself: What feels natural to me?
The answer was simple—writing.
I’ve been journaling for years. Pouring out my thoughts, prayers, and reflections through pen and paper has always been a source of peace. So instead of forcing a podcast, I’ve decided to simply blog—just write reflections like this one, straight from the heart.
No pressure to post every week.
No rigid categories.
No trying to impress.
Just honest words. Honest faith. Honest struggles.
I’ll start here and see where it goes. If this space becomes a home for someone else’s searching heart, then that’s a gift. But even if it just documents my own walk with God this year, I’ll still count it as something deeply meaningful.
And here’s what I’ve learned from experience: when something becomes part of your lifestyle—done little by little with consistency—it grows. It lasts. Like how I don’t go to the gym but stay active because I’ve made running part of my life. Or how I managed to save more just by living simply. Or how I’ve kept a healthy weight not by strict dieting, but by learning to be content with just enough.
It’s not about depriving ourselves or pushing beyond limits—it’s about choosing a rhythm that reflects who we are and what God knows is good for us. Even in our work, our service, or our calling, He wants us to live in a way that doesn’t steal our peace or pull our hearts away from Him. Because where our treasure is—where we place our time, energy, and focus—there our hearts will be also.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
So I claim this: God will use this blog—these small stories, these little reflections—to speak to someone, somewhere, in His perfect time.
If you’ve read this far, thank you.
I hope my words remind you to embrace your own pace, to follow what feels natural, and to let God move in the simplicity of your every day.
— Faithfully Yani
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