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Humans Were Never Meant to Run on Empty: God Knew It First

Humans Were Never Meant to Run on Empty: God Knew It First

Last updated on: June 8, 2026 at 2:52 pm by Dr. Feyi Obamehinti

Humans Were Never Meant to Run on Empty: God Knew It First 2026-06-08T14:52:01-05:00 Dr. Feyi Obamehinti

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Humans were never meant to run on empty. God, who created humans, knew this first and showed us the way of the sacred art of rest in His Word. | Photo by Steph Quernemoen on Unsplash.

Halfway Point of 2026

We have made it to the halfway point of 2026! It is officially summer and June is here, Patheos friends! For us Texans, we are bracing ourselves for triple-digit temperatures- please stay cool. Apart from the high temperatures, as usual, the month of June comes with observances and celebrations. Notably, the month of June is a big one for sports enthusiasts. First, we have the kickoff of the NBA finals on June 3rd, secondly, we have the start of the Stanley Cup finals on June 4th, and lastly, we have the kickoff of the long-awaited FIFA World Cup on June 11th. Three nations are co-hosting this historic soccer World Cup for the first time (USA, Canada and Mexico). Forty-eight countries will be participating in 104 matches across sixteen host cities. And our great state of Texas will be hosting matches in two major cities- Dallas and Houston. We are also celebrating fathers on June 21st for Father’s Day– blessings to all fathers. Finally, on June 28th we kick off America’s 250th celebration. And a shoutout to everyone who has a birthday this month! Blessings and love!

Cultural Phenomenon

That’s quite a lot going on just reading through the introduction. For many people, juggling thousands of things is a routine and a badge of honor. Our culture promotes exhaustion, busyness and hyperactivity. In fact, stillness is seen as a waste. Recent national data show that exhaustion remains a significant public health concern for Americans. Add to this mix social media, and we have a recipe for exhaustion, not just in children but adults as well. Exhaustion leads to many related stress-induced health concerns. Exhaustion leads to an empty tank- that can be an empty heart, an empty soul, an empty spirit or a stressed, racked body. Humans were never meant to run on empty. God, who created humans, knew this first and showed us the way of the sacred art of rest in His Word. Rest is a lost art in our world today.

Sacred Art of Rest- A Radical Way of Living

The Bible shows us a radically different way of living that is counterculture. Everyone can benefit from this sacred way of living and not just believers in Christ. Rest is holy. Rest is obedience. Rest is trust in God- a declaration that God is God in our lives. In Matthew 11: 28- 30, the Son of God gives us an open invitation to rest that nourishes our spirits, souls and bodies. It states, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This type of rest is not a one-time thing- it is a rhythm that believers in Christ are called to.

Example by The Son of God

The Son of God can teach His disciples and now believers in Christ this sacred art of rest as the best approach to our world’s hurried way of living, because He lived it Himself. In Mark 6:31, Jesus Christ coaches His disciples and the people He was ministering to. Mark 6:31 states, “And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”

Summer of Action

With summer months upon us, it is a great time to take more action on the sacred art of rest. Rest begins with an understanding of our identity in Christ and not activities. This understanding helps believers in Christ resist the lies and deception that busyness is a badge of honor and worth. When people reclaim their identities in Christ, they enter into a rhythm of belovedness, which in turn silences the noise of cultural lies on performance. From the place of an understanding about identity flows the posture of obedience to the sacred art of rest. This is where practice comes in. Not just the once-a-week practice of the Sabbath day, but the practice of sabbath moments during the week in prayer, worship and study of God’s Word. Sabbath moments during the week make space for renewal in the soul, spirit and body. Rest is a restorative practice. It is a spiritual necessity. Rest says- I am beloved of God and He sustains me. Let’s live from a place of rest, because humans were never meant to run on empty- God knew that and has shown us the way. It is now left to us to obey Him or disobey. Let us choose wisely!

Progressive Christian

Health, Fitness and Religion

About Dr. Feyi Obamehinti

Dr. Feyi Obamehinti is a wife, mother, an ordained minister of the gospel, Bible Teacher, speaker, life educator, author, co-founder of nonprofits Oasis Connection Ministries and Oasis Focus Inc. Dr. Feyi as she's known professionally, co-host Oasis Connection TV and Oasis of Hope Podcast with her husband-Dr. Johnson Obamehinti- from their home in Texas. As a life educator, Dr. Feyi loves to equip people with Biblical principles to thrive in every area of life. A dynamic international and national trainer/speaker, she is passionate about helping people "see life" from God's perspective - only one that truly matters. A nationally syndicated commentator, Dr. Feyi equips leaders on maximizing their leadership for the people they lead. She is an encourager extraordinaire of the Wellness Project, ambassador of hope, community leader and advocate. You can read more about the author here.

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