Rest

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:31

I have taken a long break from writing. I wish I could say it is because I was getting some much needed rest. Instead, I have been embarrassingly overwhelmed and whining about it to anyone who would listen. While teaching last night on the importance of rest for caregivers (like I had any business teaching on that), I was given a much deeper revelation of just how serious God is about rest.

God, Himself, rested. (Gen. 2:2-4). It’s not just something He thinks we need to do. It is so important in the big scheme of things that even He does it. Think about that.

One of the biggest excuses I have for not resting is that there are so many people who need me and my list is so long that I don’t have time to rest. If I did rest, I’d feel guilty, so I don’t rest. Then something I had totally missed in Mark 6:31 popped out at me last night. WHILE they were knee deep in serving people, Jesus had the disciples walk away. Why?

If I’d have been there I would’ve said, “But wait! All these people still need us. We’re not done. Leaving now would be rude.” If I’d have been there, I would have served until I dropped believing if I did otherwise I would be letting down God and those people. I would have been wrong.

We must obey God’s command to rest. When we do, we realize who is really in control. We will feel the relief of knowing that the health and well being of the people we care for are ultimately in God’s hands.

Lord, please forgive me for self-importance and self-pity. Help me to rest and remember, it’s all about You.