Daily Devotional – Thursday, December 22, 2022
Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while
Mark 6:31 (NKJV)
On a visit to a bank agency, I got chatting with the attendant. She was normally a jovial outgoing person but on this occasion, she was despondent and withdrawn. I inquired what the problem was.
I Want to Breathe Out
“I wish we adults had a special isolated place where we could go and exhale and shout at the top of our voices, without fear of being judged.” She answered.
I burst out laughing and remarked. “What a ludicrous idea?”
“Why? Don’t you sometimes feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of town and the cares of the day to cool off?” She threw the ball to my court.
“Yeah. I often want to be in a place where I can be myself and be as carefree as a child.” I retorted
“I just want to exhale, imbibe fresh air and rejuvenate before resuming normal life.” She said.
“I can’t agree more.” I said.
No Time for Rest
As I left the agency, I recalled the events of Mark Chapter 6. The twelve disciples had returned from a triumphant day of preaching, exorcising demons and healing. Later that day, the twelve narrated to Jesus the triumphs of their ministry.
Something else, however, was happening. Mark records, “…there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.” (Mark 6:31). In essence, the disciples had no space for exhaling. Service to the people was draining them of vitality.
Come Aside and Rest
Jesus knew how to solve this problem. He told them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” (Verse 31). “So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.” (Verse 32).
The disciples needed a place where they could let loose, speak freely, relax, eat and rejuvenate, before returning to serve the people. Jesus understood that spiritual and physical wellbeing are intricately linked.
Waiting to Exhale
As we edge closer to the end of the year, we need to come aside by ourselves to a quiet place, rest, reflect and revitalize. To some, this means taking a break from work and spending time with family. Others opt to take a vacation or spiritual retreat.
The bottom-line is that your body is waiting to exhale. The world will never stop to let you take a break. Instead of rushing after the unending cares of this life, withdraw from your normal routine and rest awhile. Jesus recommended it.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as this year comes to an end, help me take a rest, exhale and rejuvenate
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God bless you.
True we need sometime to just breathe out the exhaustion from life.
I share with the experience at the bank, after an exam friends tell you, we just need to go out into a deserted place and shout loudly where no one would judge us .
Rest is valuable, the finest prescription to help us cool from the cumbersome stuff that confront us. God as well gave us rest. A day we would heal, breathe, relax and rest in His promises.
Amen. That’s the truth, Doc
Thank you elder for reminding us this, yes we indeed do need a break from the cares and distress of the world.
You are welcome, Brian. God bless you.