The Apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Mark 6:30–32
Do you spend enough time resting? Do you give yourself enough quiet time to pray with our Lord? In our fast-paced world of long hours and not enough time to accomplish the things that we think are important, weariness has become a way of life for many. It seems as though many of us have failed to understand or have forgotten the purpose and source of rest in our lives.
The Apostles were preoccupied with "all they had done and taught," but the Lord called them to come away to a quiet place. He sought to teach them that in order to be effective in ministering, they must learn how to take time from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend time alone with Him in prayer.
The message is not to be lazy or "take it easy" on a continual basis, nor is the message to relax whenever we might feel like it. Missing the point of the message will lead us to become ineffective in our ministries and weaken our relationship with God. Taking time for rest refreshes our body, mind and soul, gives the opportunity for more time spent in prayer, and deepens our relationship with God. The passage is a reminder that rest is a gift from God provided for our benefit. Whether your weariness is physical, emotional or spiritual, the same Jesus who offered his apostles rest then offers us rest now.
Cindy Carrier
