UL #361: The False Vine of Workaholism

In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, we explore the difference between work that flows from grace and love, and work that drains us because it’s fueled by fear, insecurity, or people-pleasing. Together we’ll talk about holy rhythms of work and rest, and what it looks like to return to the “easy yoke” of Jesus.

If you’ve been feeling weary, overextended, or caught in workaholism, this conversation offers hope: you can lead from rest rather than rush.

What You’ll Take Away from This Episode:

• How to discern between grace-energized work and soul-draining drivenness.

• Why busyness, according to Eugene Peterson, is not productivity but a form of laziness.

• The danger of “false vines” that drain life rather than nourish it.

• Small, sustainable practices for weaving sabbath and reflection into daily rhythms.

• How contemplative practices root us in God’s presence so our work becomes overflow, not overextension.

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Resources & References Mentioned in This Episode:

• Subversive Spirituality by Eugene Peterson

• New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton

• The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (various translations available)

• The Spiritual Life by Evelyn Underhill

• Jesus’ teaching on the easy yoke (Matthew 11:28–30) and the vine and branches (John 15)