Mark 6:31 (ESV)  And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”

It’s interesting to me that this is the word laid on my heart when it’s one of the hardest things for me to do. I’m not one to sit still for long. I like to jam-pack my days with everything that needs to be done on my lists. 

God’s sense of humor never ceases to amaze me.

The past few days have had me in the Gospels studying the different accounts of this story. You see, Jesus says, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while” right smack dab in the middle of the busyness of ministry. He and the disciples had been speaking to and healing people, doing other miracles, and had been surrounded by the crowds so much they hadn’t even had a chance to eat.

They were exhausted—completely depleted.

So, they listened to their Teacher and followed His instructions. Only problem was, the crowd anticipated this and ended up showing up to their quiet and desolate place. (Remember the exhaustion? Completely depleted? This is why we see the disciples asking Jesus to send the people away.) But we see in multiple accounts that Jesus had compassion on the crowds and this is where He feeds the five thousand. 

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

It’s what He does after that is extremely important. He goes up the mountain alone to pray. He gets away from the noise and the crowds and everything pulling at Him and spends time alone with the Father.

Rest doesn’t always mean that we simply need a nap to function better. Although that’s often a good idea. True rest comes from the Source. In Matthew chapter eleven we see, “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.”

Our Heavenly Father is waiting with open arms for us to come to Him with everything. He will give us rest. True rest. For our souls, not just our bodies. So it’s up to you and to me to stop in the middle of our busyness and seek Him. Get alone to pray. Lock into the source of true nourishment and rest…be fed, sustained, and renewed.

EVERY DAY

It’s not something that we necessarily need to schedule at the same time each day (although, it’s great to do that—I’m one of those that likes my schedule) but instead, it’s something that we should stop and do multiple times a day. Especially in the biggest moments of chaos. In the craziest times of ministry. In the most hectic part of your day.  

Stop. Step away and get refueled by spending some one-on-one time with the Lord.

Rest. In Him—it’s true rest.

Until next time,

Kimberley