Author, speaker, and ministry leader Jennie Lusko joined bestselling author and podcast host Annie F. Downs for a heartfelt and practical conversation on the spiritual discipline of Sabbath, emphasizing the importance of rest, soul care, and cultivating a deeper awareness of God's presence in everyday life. The discussion, featured on That Sounds Fun Podcast, also highlighted Lusko's newly released devotional, Fresh Mercies Everyday.
The episode marks the beginning of a three-part series exploring Sabbath as part of Downs' Spiritually Stronger initiative. Throughout the conversation, Lusko shared insights drawn from years of ministry, motherhood, grief, and spiritual formation, offering listeners practical ways to cultivate rhythms of rest in a culture driven by productivity and constant activity.
"Rest begins before the work begins," Lusko explained. Reflecting on her own daily routine, she described the necessity of creating space for God before facing the uncertainties of the day. While acknowledging that life often unfolds in unexpected ways, she emphasized that time spent with God creates a spiritual foundation that enables believers to navigate challenges with greater resilience and perspective.
Central to the discussion was the idea that Sabbath is not merely about ceasing activity but about learning to trust God. Downs observed that many people struggle to stop working because there is always another task waiting to be completed. Lusko agreed, noting that rest often requires surrendering the illusion of control and trusting that God remains at work even when we pause.
The conversation also addressed the practical realities of rest for busy families. Lusko, who serves alongside her husband, Pastor Levi Lusko, shared how their family has intentionally cultivated rhythms of Sabbath over the years. What began as simple family days has developed into a deeply embedded family culture centered on rest, connection, recreation, and worship.
She recounted how their family intentionally adjusted ministry schedules and personal commitments in order to preserve meaningful time together. From family adventures and outdoor activities to shared meals and weekly traditions, Lusko emphasized that Sabbath often requires intentional planning. "You have to plan to rest," she said, explaining that rest rarely happens accidentally amid the demands of modern life.
A recurring theme throughout the episode was the relationship between physical movement and spiritual renewal. Lusko described how hiking, tennis, walks, and outdoor adventures have become important components of her family's understanding of rest. Rather than viewing exercise as punishment or obligation, she sees physical activity as a gift from God that nurtures emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being.
Drawing from the example of Jesus, who frequently withdrew to quiet places, mountains, and bodies of water, Lusko suggested that believers were created to encounter God in creation and through movement. These activities, she noted, often provide opportunities for meaningful conversations, deeper family connections, and moments of worship.
The discussion also explored how Sabbath can look different for different personalities and seasons of life. Lusko rejected the notion that rest follows a one-size-fits-all formula. For some people, rest may involve reading a book, spending time outdoors, or engaging in a creative hobby. For others, it may include organizing a room, gardening, or simply enjoying quiet solitude.
"God created each of us differently," Lusko said. "Rest for one person may be different than rest for another." She encouraged listeners to seek God's guidance in discerning what genuinely replenishes their souls rather than merely copying someone else's spiritual practices.
One of the most memorable moments of the conversation came when Lusko spontaneously coined the phrase "read the room of your heart." The phrase emerged during a discussion about emotional awareness and spiritual self-examination. Lusko explained that believers must regularly pay attention to the condition of their inner lives, particularly when irritation, jealousy, exhaustion, or discouragement begin to surface.
Rather than simply pushing through difficult emotions, she encouraged listeners to pause and ask deeper questions about what is happening beneath the surface. Such moments can become invitations to return Christ to the center of one's life and to realign priorities around Him.
Lusko connected this idea to a larger spiritual principle that shapes her devotional Fresh Mercies Everyday. She explained that many Christians unintentionally treat their spiritual lives as a series of boxes to check, placing prayer, Bible reading, and worship alongside countless other daily responsibilities. Instead, she suggested envisioning Jesus at the center of life, with every relationship, responsibility, and activity flowing outward from that central relationship.
"Jesus isn't another box on the list," Lusko explained. "He's the center from which everything else flows."
The episode also provided listeners with a glimpse into the story behind Fresh Mercies Everyday. Lusko described the devotional as a deeply personal project years in the making. The book features forty devotional readings paired with striking floral photography captured by her longtime friend Jen Dylan, who developed her passion for gardening and photography while navigating her own seasons of grief and healing.
According to Lusko, the project reflects decades of journal entries, spiritual reflections, and lessons learned through both joy and suffering. The result is a devotional designed to help readers recognize God's faithfulness in every season and to discover fresh expressions of His mercy each day.
Throughout the conversation, both Lusko and Downs repeatedly returned to the conviction that rest is ultimately an act of faith. Whether through a five-minute pause, a weekly Sabbath, a family vacation, or a quiet moment of reflection, genuine rest acknowledges that God remains sovereign and faithful even when believers stop striving.
For Lusko, the goal is not merely relaxation but spiritual attentiveness. Rest creates space to remember God's presence, recognize His activity, and respond to His leading. In a world marked by constant noise, hurry, and distraction, she believes Sabbath remains one of the most powerful ways believers can cultivate a life centered on Christ.
The full conversation, titled "Finding Rest Every Day, in Every Season with Jennie Lusko," is available now on That Sounds Fun Podcast and serves as the opening installment of Downs' ongoing exploration of Sabbath and spiritual renewal.
