Mike's Musings

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. 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 6:30-31

Jesus is interested in our physical condition. Just following this passage, Jesus is concerned about feeding five thousand souls who had come to hear Him. Later, in a similar circumstance (Mark 8:1 and ff.), Jesus is concerned about yet more hungry flock.

Aren't you glad that Jesus became Emmanuel, "God with us," God in the flesh, so that He can sympathize with our physical situations and limitations (Hebrews 4:15)? Remember Martha, who scurried all around, maybe thinking that all of her frantic service would impress Jesus, Who replied to her complaint that her sister Mary's resting at His feet, a quiet and meditative place, was the better part (Luke 10:38-42).

God knows our frail natures. He is the Good Shepherd Who knows the flock's limits, as Jacob did his flock: "My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die" (Genesis 33:13).

God would rather that we come away with Him to a quiet place, now and then: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).

Are you approaching burn out? Have you been working for Jesus, nobly, faithfully, driven to do what you can while you can? If so, remember: Jesus implies that you can overdo it. Your body and spirit and soul need rest and recharging. It's best to offer Him a full-of-the-Spirit, refreshed soul, not a worn-out, drained, frayed one. Take some time to go away with Him to a quiet place.

"But they won't understand. It will look like I'm being lazy."

So? What does it matter what they think? Just quieten your soul. Do you hear Him yet saying, "Come away with me to a quiet place and rest?"

I've heard testimonies of people saying, "God had to get me in a hospital bed before I would rest." I wonder if that is part of what David meant in his 23rd Psalm: "He MAKES me like down in green pastures"?

He'd rather you heed the call: "Come away with Me to a quiet place and rest."

Author: Chuck B