Go Fly a Kite
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It’s something people say when they want to tell someone to buzz off: “Go fly a kite!”
Usually, it’s not a kind phrase. It means, “Go away. I don’t have time for you.” But maybe — just maybe — there’s more truth in that little sentence than we realize.
Because the reality is, every now and then, we do need to go fly a kite.
Not because someone is pushing us away, but because we need to step away. Away from the desk. Away from the constant mental churn. Away from the endless to-do list. Away from the responsibilities that keep our shoulders tight and our minds on overdrive.
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do for your ministry, your leadership, your relationships — and even your own spiritual life — is to walk away for a little while and go do something that makes you breathe deep, smile wide, and remember you’re a human being before you’re a human doing.
The Power of Stepping Away
When I say “go fly a kite,” I’m not speaking literally (although, if that’s your thing, go for it). I’m talking about the deliberate choice to do something different — something refreshing, something playful, something that lets your mind loosen up.
For me, that might be hopping on my e-bike and riding out into the country. I’ll take roads I’ve never been on before, sometimes wandering so far that I have to use GPS to find my way home. And I love it — not because I’m trying to get lost, but because of what I discover along the way: little houses tucked behind trees, farm fields I’ve never noticed before, and quiet stretches of road where the air feels fresher and the noise of life feels far away.
Other days, I’ll just jump on my golf cart and buzz around the neighborhood a few times in the middle of the day. It’s not a long trip. It doesn’t take much effort. But it breaks the rhythm of constant thinking and working.
And in those moments — when my mind is clear and my pace is slower — God often speaks. Not in a thunderous, dramatic way. But in a whisper. In a reminder. In a fresh idea that I never would have thought of sitting in front of a glowing screen.
The Biblical Pattern of Rest and Renewal
You see, “go fly a kite” is more biblical than we might think.
God built rest into the very fabric of creation. After six days of speaking galaxies into existence, He rested. Not because He was tired, but to set an example for us.
Jesus followed the same pattern. In Luke 5:16, we read, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”Sometimes He was surrounded by miracles, crowds, and ministry demands — but He still stepped away.
He knew something we too easily forget: our minds and hearts need space. They need breathing room. They need quiet moments away from the noise so we can hear the still, small voice of God.
Why Breaks Make Space for God to Speak
When we’re constantly in “go” mode, our thoughts are crowded. Even in prayer, we can be so full of our own words and worries that we can’t hear God clearly.
But take a break — a real break — and something shifts.
- Your mental RPMs slow down. The racing thoughts settle, and you can think more clearly.
- You see with fresh eyes. Even familiar surroundings look different when you return after a mental reset.
- You create room for inspiration. God can drop a new vision, an idea, or a solution into a mind that isn’t jammed full.
That’s why some of the clearest direction I’ve ever received from God has come during moments when I wasn’t “trying” to hear from Him — I was just enjoying a bike ride, taking a walk, or doing something completely unrelated to ministry.
The Trap of Constant Productivity
One of the reasons leaders burn out is because they equate constant activity with faithfulness. They believe if they’re not doing something all the time, they’re wasting time.
But here’s the truth: sometimes the most faithful thing you can do is rest.
Psalm 23 doesn’t say, “The Lord is my shepherd, He drives me until I collapse.” It says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.”
If you never allow God to lead you beside quiet waters, you’re running on fumes. And when you lead on empty, you have nothing left to give.
Practical Ways to “Go Fly a Kite”
You don’t have to plan a two-week vacation to find renewal. Small, intentional breaks can make a huge difference. Here are some ideas:
- Go for a walk — leave your phone at home and just listen to nature.
- Take a drive — pick a road you’ve never been down and see where it leads.
- Work with your hands — garden, build something, or cook a new recipe.
- Play a game — something purely for fun, with no “productive” goal.
- Sit somewhere new — a park bench, a coffee shop, or your back porch, just to change your perspective.
The goal isn’t to escape your calling. It’s to renew your mind so you can return to it with clarity and energy.
Self-Care Is Stewardship
Taking care of your mental health isn’t selfish — it’s stewardship.
When you rest, you’re not just benefiting yourself. You’re protecting your ability to lead, love, and serve others well. A burnt-out leader can’t shepherd effectively. An exhausted parent can’t nurture well. A mentally drained pastor can’t preach with clarity.
Think about it: if you crash emotionally, physically, or spiritually, the people who depend on you are impacted. Taking care of yourself is taking care of them.
How Breaks Bring Fresh Vision
One of the hidden benefits of stepping away is that new vision often comes when you’re not “trying” to get it.
Elijah experienced this in 1 Kings 19. After a huge spiritual battle on Mount Carmel, he was exhausted. He needed rest. And when he finally stopped, God met him — not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in a gentle whisper.
That’s how vision often comes: in the quiet, in the margin, in the stillness after the striving.
When you give your mind a break, you open the door for God to give you insight you might never have received otherwise.
Protecting Your Breaks from Guilt
Here’s the tricky part: taking a break can make you feel guilty. You might hear that inner voice saying, “You should be working right now.”
But remember — Jesus took breaks. He withdrew from crowds. He rested. And if "He" made time for it, so should we.
Next time guilt tries to creep in, remind yourself:
- Rest is not laziness; it’s obedience to God’s design.
- Breaks are not wasted time; they’re investments in longevity.
- Enjoyment is not indulgence; it’s part of living a healthy, God-honoring life.
Your Kite Can Look Different from Mine
The way you “go fly a kite” doesn’t have to look like mine. My refreshment might come from an e-bike ride or a golf cart spin. Yours might be fishing, painting, hiking, or even taking a long bath.
The key is finding what brings you joy, slows you down, and gives you breathing space.
Make it a regular rhythm, not an emergency fix when you’re already burned out.
A Final Word to Leaders and Doers
If you’re reading this as someone who’s been pushing nonstop, I have one challenge for you: schedule your break.
Put it in your calendar. Treat it as non-negotiable. Protect it like you would a meeting with your most important ministry partner. Because in a very real sense, that’s what it is — a meeting with yourself and with God.
Every now and then, you need to go fly a kite. Not to run away from your responsibilities, but to return to them refreshed, renewed, and ready.
So take off the suit and tie. Push back from the desk. Step away from the endless notifications. Go see something new. Go laugh. Go breathe. Go listen.
And when you come back, you might just find that God has been waiting for you in the quiet — with fresh vision, fresh strength, and a fresh reminder that you are more than what you produce.
About Pastor James Smith
Pastor James Smith, Valparaiso, Indiana – Founder of PreachIt.org, OpportunityHope.org, and PastoralHelps.com.
He equips pastors worldwide with sermons, leadership tools, and encouragement, while also caring for orphaned and at-risk children in West Bengal, India through OpportunityHope. Beyond the orphanage and school, OpportunityHope provides clean water wells, livestock, and other humanitarian helps to families and villages in need. Additional books, leadership training, and mentoring resources are available through PastoralHelps.com.
