“Working to Find Rest”
April 2025
“Jesus 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. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.” Mark 6:31-32
When was the last time you vocalized the words, “I’m tired.” I’d imagine for many of us we say those words daily. But that leads to the question, “Why?”
The short answer is, there’s a lot to do! Every stage of life comes with its share of responsibilities. Children, teenagers and young adults have packed schedules. Parents have mouths to feed and chores to do after long days at work while helping little ones get homework done. And Grandparents are busier than ever before.
We’re pulled in so many directions that it’s easy to believe that there’s no time to rest.
However, in the passage above, Jesus gave the disciples specific instructions to “come away…and rest a while.” And these instructions weren’t a suggestion, they were an imperative, a command.
Now I have to admit, this isn’t an easy command to follow. Finding time for rest is “work” in itself. But I want to give us a few words of encouragement on this as we continue our journey through Lent and prepare for Easter.
1. Jesus knows we need moments of rest. I find strength in the fact that Jesus knows what we need.
2. If we diligently look for rest we can find moments in the midst of chaos. In Mark 6, the disciples go on the first mission trip and Jesus is wrestling with the grief of losing his cousin, John the Baptist. When they land there’s a crowd of 5000 to be taught and fed. But they found a moment in the boat to rest. I believe we can too (even if it’s just a five minute reprieve).
3. We need to constantly evaluate the things we’re signing up for. Sometimes I’m the reason I don’t have time to rest. Don’t be afraid of telling yourself no so that you can follow Jesus’ command in Mark 6.
I pray that we will find God’s strength in the rest of Jesus each day.
In Christ,
Pastor Thomas
When was the last time you vocalized the words, “I’m tired.” I’d imagine for many of us we say those words daily. But that leads to the question, “Why?”
The short answer is, there’s a lot to do! Every stage of life comes with its share of responsibilities. Children, teenagers and young adults have packed schedules. Parents have mouths to feed and chores to do after long days at work while helping little ones get homework done. And Grandparents are busier than ever before.
We’re pulled in so many directions that it’s easy to believe that there’s no time to rest.
However, in the passage above, Jesus gave the disciples specific instructions to “come away…and rest a while.” And these instructions weren’t a suggestion, they were an imperative, a command.
Now I have to admit, this isn’t an easy command to follow. Finding time for rest is “work” in itself. But I want to give us a few words of encouragement on this as we continue our journey through Lent and prepare for Easter.
1. Jesus knows we need moments of rest. I find strength in the fact that Jesus knows what we need.
2. If we diligently look for rest we can find moments in the midst of chaos. In Mark 6, the disciples go on the first mission trip and Jesus is wrestling with the grief of losing his cousin, John the Baptist. When they land there’s a crowd of 5000 to be taught and fed. But they found a moment in the boat to rest. I believe we can too (even if it’s just a five minute reprieve).
3. We need to constantly evaluate the things we’re signing up for. Sometimes I’m the reason I don’t have time to rest. Don’t be afraid of telling yourself no so that you can follow Jesus’ command in Mark 6.
I pray that we will find God’s strength in the rest of Jesus each day.
In Christ,
Pastor Thomas
