Resting to Restore
Hurry. Hustle. Go. Do. Achieve. Fix. How many of your days begin with thoughts like these at the front of your mind? Adulthood is marked by the pressures of so much to do and never enough time. There are due dates, bills to pay, people to speak to, and things that demand our attention.
We need reminding—as we did when we were children—sometimes it’s time to rest, even if we didn’t get our list of chores done. Jesus’ disciples were healthy men with energy and skills, but even they became overwhelmed by the strain of attending to a constant stream of needs. Jesus noticed this and called them away to be alone and get some much-needed rest.
No matter how great our capacity is, we all have limits. Even those with tremendous energy and passion need time to rest. It's not a sign of failure. It's a sign of trust in God.
Jesus took naps and spent time alone to regroup and rest. He made plans for His disciples to do the same. His pattern and invitation are there for us, too. He knows we need downtime.
If you’re exhausted, how might Jesus be inviting you to get away and rest in His presence? As you look around and see others who are weary and heavy-laden—maybe not even stopping to eat—how might you bless them by helping them to take a break?
Unable to post photos today. But I am not going to miss posting the verse of the day.
Psalm 9:1 ESV
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
#verseoftheday #Psalm91 #alwaysreadincontext
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, there came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you;...