Rest, Relax and Renew

“Many people were coming and going, so there was no time to eat.  He said to the apostles, ‘Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.”  Mark 6:31 (CEB)

Prior to Jesus telling his disciples to find a spot and rest, they had been travelling, teaching and working miracles amongst the people.  Lots of people, crowds pressed in and followed, wanting more of Jesus and his teaching.  Jesus and his disciples were tired and needed to allow themselves some of the three R’s.  No, not readin’, ritin’ and ‘rithmatic, but rest and relaxation to gain renewal.

The disciples were not aware of what lay ahead of them that day.  They were going to have to feed five thousand with only two fish and five loaves of barley bread!   They needed some rest!  Jesus knew what the day held, and He wanted his followers to be rested and renewed. 

Let’s look at the meaning of these words.  “Rest” is defined as “peace, ease or refreshment.” “Relax” means “to become loose or less firm, to have a milder manner, to be less stiff.” (www.gotquestions.com)  God created for six days, and on the seventh He rested.  God wasn’t tired as we know tiredness, but this was to set a standard for us.  We are even commanded to rest on the Sabbath day. 

We rest physically, yes – but we are to REST in God.  We put our trust in Him; we depend on Him to keep the world spinning, the sun rising and the stars shining.  We rest in His ability to do all and be all that we need.  In order to be all that He has for us we must be renewed.  Renewal comes only after we have rested and recharged, so to speak.

For us Christians, the ultimate rest is found in Christ. He invites all who are “weary and burdened” to come to Him and cast our cares on Him.  This truth is found in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” (CEB)

Be sure to allow yourself a time of rest and relaxation so that you can be renewed and recharged to do the work the Lord has for you to do.  

Are you stressed, tired, overwhelmed and struggling today?  Join me in this prayer today.

Jesus, I am stressed. Help me to accept your invitation to come empty and receive the rest I need. Help me to willingly release my fear, my worries, and my to-do list. Ease the tension and refresh my body. Silence the voices of doubt and speak Your words of truth. Remove the heaviness of my day and pour out abundantly into my life. Fill me with Your peace, joy, and love. Fill me until the overwhelming is consumed by Your grace, and my life reflects the beauty of resting in You. 

Amen.

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.~ Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT)