The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. (Mark 6:30-32)
Life is busy. My Christian worldview has me running a race that even my entrance to the “senior years” will not slow down. Activities may decrease. Projects may take longer to complete. Exercise routines may need adjusting. But the life of faith has no limits by age, and there is always something to do in the kingdom of God, even for the most aged of his disciples.
On the other hand, I have had many experiences in church life where the pressure to perform, to run things, to keep people happy, to meet targets and goals, and to keep programs going, was so not kingdomish that there was a very unnecessary weariness for those we called “the committed”.
When I see Jesus’ concern for his disciples after sending them out on a work assignment, I see his heart in showing us that it is his own interest to ensure our times of rest. As always, we can’t turn a historical description of something God did with others into an absolute rule that applies to everyone all the time. However, we can look at what scripture reveals elsewhere about Jesus’ interest in both our work and our rest and see how this experience with the apostles affirms and illustrates a vital facet of our Savior’s love for us.
Along with what I shared yesterday that “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17), there is the necessity of walking with Jesus in ways that give rest to our souls. Some people serve Christ with great energy and enthusiasm because they know how to rest with Jesus in their souls. Others feel weary just hearing that God might have something for them to do to “serve one another in love” because they have never attached to Jesus in a way that calms and quiets their souls.
My encouragement is to get to know Jesus according to his invitation, “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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-20).
At the very least, seeing how Jesus cared for his disciples' need for rest should affirm to our own hearts that he has the same interest for us. And even with the miserableness of the man-cold that has no comparison in the… okay, just kidding… I have felt that restfulness of my soul to have had a prolonged and comforting time with my Lord in his word, in prayer, and in sharing what God gave me for the building-up of others.
© 2024 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8
Email: in2freedom@gmail.com
Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.)
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