A Word from Dr Crowder: Superpower- the Spirituality of Rest

Dr Crowder shared this message with future Living Waters Region clergy on 13 August 2026  

Beloved Colleagues,

We live in a culture that often celebrates exhaustion as a badge of honor. Busyness is applauded, calendars are overcrowded, and too many of us have mistaken constant activity for faithful living. Yet Scripture reminds us that rest is not a luxury, it is a sacred gift from God.

One of the most enduring lessons I learned came not from a seminary classroom, but from the football field at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Our legendary head football coach, William “Billy” Joe, often reminded us, “Rest is your superpower.” At the time, he was teaching us about physical recovery. Today, I understand those words as a profound spiritual truth. Rest renews the body, sharpens the mind, and restores the soul. It equips us to return stronger for the work that lies ahead.

Jesus Himself modeled this rhythm. Although the crowds constantly sought Him and the demands of ministry were relentless, He intentionally stepped away to pray and rest. Mark records, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Later, after the disciples returned from ministry, Jesus said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). Before pouring Himself out for others again, Jesus withdrew to be refreshed in the presence of the Father.

This pattern reminds us that even the Son of God did not allow the urgency of ministry to replace the necessity of communion with God. If Jesus needed moments of solitude, prayer, and rest, how much more do we?

One of the greatest lessons I learned this past June and July came through practicing this very rhythm. For the first time in many months, I intentionally stepped away from my demanding travel schedule. During that time, some of the most consequential work of our region was accomplished. We received final approval to host the 2028 General Assembly, completed the 2027–2028 Living Waters Regional Budget Blueprint, and finalized the nominations for the inaugural Living Waters Regional Church Council.

Initially, I wondered whether slowing down would delay the work. Instead, I discovered the opposite. None of these milestones would have been completed as effectively had I not taken the time to pray, process, and prepare. The quiet gave me clarity. Prayer sharpened my discernment. Reflection strengthened my leadership. I learned that faithful leadership is not measured by how many miles we travel but by how attentively we listen for the voice of God. Sometimes our most productive seasons are born from our quietest moments.

As we prepare to become the Living Waters Region, our shared vision is captured in three simple but profound words: Wellness. Work. Worship. Rest is the thread that binds them together. Wellness reminds us to care for our minds, bodies, and spirits as gifts from God. Work calls us to faithful (mission) service, knowing that our ministry is strengthened, not diminished, by seasons of renewal. Worship re-centers our hearts on God, reminding us that before we are leaders, servants, or disciples, we are the beloved children who find our deepest rest in God’s presence. When these three commitments remain in balance, our lives and ministries flourish.

The spirituality of rest is about more than sleep. It is the intentional practice of trusting God enough to stop striving, to be still, and to remember that our identity is not found in what we accomplish but in whose we are. Rest is an act of faith. It acknowledges that God remains at work even when we are not.

For chaplains, pastors, church leaders, educators, caregivers, and all who pour themselves into the service of others, this is a vital reminder. We cannot continually draw from an empty well. Healthy ministry flows from a rested soul. Sabbath is not weakness; it is wisdom. Solitude is not isolation; it is renewal. Prayer is not an interruption to our work; it is the foundation of it.

As I reflect on Coach Billy’s words, I hear them through the lens of faith: “Rest is your superpower.” In Christ, rest becomes the place where God renews our strength, restores our perspective, and prepares us for the journey ahead.

May we embrace the holy rhythm that Jesus modeled—working faithfully, praying consistently, and resting intentionally… trusting that the God who calls us is also the God who refreshes us. As the prophet Isaiah reminds us, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting is not passive; it is an act of confident trust in God’s timing and God’s power.

As we journey together into this new chapter of ministry, may we remember that God’s call is not simply to do more, but to live more faithfully. May our Wellness nurture our souls, our Work advance God’s mission, and our Worship keep us rooted in the One who gives us true rest. For in Christ, rest is indeed our God-given superpower.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

Amen. Ase’.

Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder, Jr.