Have you ever felt like your time with God has become just another item on your to-do list?
If you’re honest, maybe your quiet time has felt more like a checkbox than a connection. You show up, you read, you pray—and then you move on with your day, wondering if there’s something more.
In this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast, I had a meaningful conversation with Cara Ray about what she calls the pursuit of holy leisure—a concept that gently invites us out of performance-driven faith and into peaceful presence with the Lord.
When Faith Feels Like a Checklist
Cara shared how she once approached her relationship with God much like many of us do—with good intentions, but a mindset rooted in duty. She described herself as a “checkbox quiet time girl,” showing up consistently but missing the delight her heart was longing for.
And I couldn’t help but relate.
Sometimes we start with discipline (which is good!), but somewhere along the way, we can lose the desire and delight that comes from simply being with God. Instead of enjoying Him, we begin striving to please Him—as if His love must be earned rather than received.
What Is Holy Leisure?
At first glance, the phrase holy leisure might feel unfamiliar—or even a little uncomfortable. We often associate leisure with laziness or wasted time. But Cara beautifully reframes it.
Holy leisure isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about intentionally engaging with what is good, true, and beautiful. It’s choosing to slow down, be present, and recognize God’s presence in both sacred and ordinary moments.
It might look like:
- Sitting with your Bible and truly savoring what you read
- Watching a sunset and thanking God for His creation
- Laughing around the dinner table with your family
- Taking a quiet walk and talking with the Lord
These moments aren’t distractions from your spiritual life—they are your spiritual life.
Mary, Martha, and the Better Choice
Cara pointed to the familiar story of Mary and Martha as a picture of this tension. Martha was busy doing good things—serving, preparing, working. But Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet.
Jesus didn’t rebuke Martha for her service—He simply reminded her that Mary had chosen what was better.
How often do we find ourselves rushing through our days, doing good things for God, but missing the opportunity to simply be with Him?
Holy leisure invites us to choose the better portion.
A Shift That Changes Everything
What struck me most is that this isn’t about adding more to our already full schedules—it’s about a shift in perspective.
When we begin to see time with God not as a duty but as a delight, everything changes.
Cara shared how this shift transformed her own life—how time with the Lord became something she longed for rather than something she checked off. It even changed how she approached rest, work, and relationships. Instead of living in a constant state of pressure, she began to live with more peace, presence, and joy.
A Gentle Invitation for Today
Maybe you’re feeling spiritually dry.
Maybe you’re tired.
Maybe your heart just doesn’t feel as connected to God as you wish it did.
Friend, there is grace for you here.
Cara offered a simple but powerful first step: honest confession. Tell the Lord exactly where you are. If your desire feels dim, ask Him to renew it. He is a good Father who meets us right where we are and gently draws us back to Himself.
You don’t have to strive your way back into His presence.
You’re already invited.
Let’s Live Loved
At the end of the day, this conversation is really about love.
When we receive God’s love—not as something we earn, but as something freely given—we can’t help but reflect that love to others. It overflows into our homes, our friendships, and our everyday interactions.
So today, instead of asking, “Have I done enough?”
What if we asked, “Have I been with Him?”
Because that’s where true rest is found.
That’s where joy begins again.
Listen to the full episode here
Grab the Book: The Pursuit of Holy Leisure
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