Mark 6:30-32 (CEB)

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. 31 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.” 32 They departed in a boat by themselves for a deserted place.


Reflection

Did you ever have one of those days? A day when it seems like everything is going wrong. You make plans, and nothing goes according to your plans. You’ve been grieving the bad news about the death of a relative. People you are managing are coming and going all during the day so that you haven’t even had time to eat. You’re stressed out, tired and hungry and you need to get away from all the demands. You feel like if one more thing happens your head will explode!

Jesus was under intense pressure. He was dealing with the aftermath of the execution of his relative John the Baptist. He was drawing large crowds that put Him squarely in the wary focus of state and religious leaders.  He was dealing with the 100 apostles who were returning from their first mission trip of telling others to “change their hearts and lives.” He was so busy, He didn’t have time to eat. He was tired and needed to get away. Jesus was the Son of God, but He was also in a very human body. Jesus knew that if He abused that body, He couldn’t continue to serve God, He would just burn out. So, He told the disciples, get in the boat, and let’s go to a secluded place to to be with God and rest.

How often do we neglect our bodies, skip meals, eat unhealthy food, over work ourselves, stay up late scrolling through devices that are available 24/7? We don’t take care of ourselves, and we suffer when it catches up with us. A quote from the movie Top Gun sums this up, “Your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash.” We think we can keep abusing our bodies, but we’re really burning out. Jesus shows us that when we take care of our bodies by making time to eat, rest and pray, we honor God, and God renews us so that we can continue to be the embodiment of God’s love to others.

By Jeneene Reduker


For Pondering & Prayer

Lately we feel like we’re not just having one of those days, it feels like we’re having one of those years. But Jesus is showing us how to take care of our bodies so we don’t burn out. Today, take time to eat healthy, get enough sleep, don’t scroll late at night. How can you make time to be with God so you can rest and be renewed, to better serve others?

Prayer: Holy God, remind us during the day to eat healthy food, to get enough sleep, to seek you out in a secluded place where we can find rest and renewal in your love, so that we can serve you and others. Amen.