The Spiritual Price of Productivity

There is often a price to be paid for productivity, a spiritual price.

We live in a world that celebrates visible accomplishments. We often find our worth in completed checklists, social media “likes,” and goals achieved. Productivity has become our idol—slowly sneaking in and shaping our days, stealing our rest, and convincing us that we’re only as valuable as what we produce.

Somewhere along the way, doing for God begins to replace being with God. We start our mornings with planners instead of prayer. We check our notifications before we check our hearts. Our calendars are full, but our souls are running on empty.

We start to feel hurried under the pressure of deadlines. We begin trying to hold God to our timelines instead of walking at His pace. We forget that our fruitfulness is not tied to our labor but to His plan.

We deceive ourselves into believing that being self-sufficient and independent is the goal. We convince ourselves that if we just plan better, work harder, or wake up earlier, we can get it all done.
But fruitfulness doesn’t come from frantic effort—it comes from abiding in the vine, Jesus Christ. That’s where we need to focus—not on the fruit, but on our attachment to the root.

Jesus said, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

He doesn’t say, “Apart from me you can do less.”

He doesn’t say, “Apart from me you will be less effective.”

He says, “You can do nothing.”

When we prioritize output over obedience, we’re essentially saying, “I’ve got this, Lord.” And that’s when exhaustion begins to impact your spirit—not just your schedule.

Choosing rest is a quiet act of rebellion against the ways of the world. (I’ve always been a little rebellious, so part of me delights in this part.) Pausing productivity says, “I will not be defined by my works.” It’s a declaration that God will run the world just fine without me for a while.

Rest is not laziness. It’s not giving up or giving in—it’s trust. It’s believing that God can accomplish more through our surrender than we ever could through striving and pushing ourselves to our limits.

So how do we refill our souls when productivity has drained them dry?
Take a step back and reassess what God really wants from you. Maybe He’s not asking you to do more, but to come closer.

“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6b, NLT)

What He really wants is you—heart, soul, mind, and strength. He wants you to know Him, to spend time with Him, to pour out your heart to Him, and to let Him surround you with His peace. He values your obedience far more than your output. He is preparing to meet you in amazing ways in your unplanned moments.

Jesus still whispers, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

He doesn’t say, “Come to me when your list is done,” or “Come after you’ve achieved enough.” He just says, “Come.”
Come in the middle of your weariness, while you’re under those burdens, with the deadlines looming. Put it all down—and come.

Seated at the feet of Jesus, your worth and your identity aren’t measured by what you produce. They’re measured by Who you belong to, Who you know, and Who you trust.