Today’s Scripture: Mark 6:31
And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going and they did not even have time to eat.
A groundbreaking study carried out in 1999 by Eve Van Cauter, a professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago, showed that just six days of sleep restricted to four hours pushed 11 healthy young male volunteers into a pre-diabetic state. Those jaw-dropping results expanded the field of sleep research, and convinced scientists that chronic or partial sleep deprivation damaged not just the mind, but also the body.
As important as pursuing and accomplishing our goals are, a breakdown of our physical bodies would definitely hinder any further strides. We endanger ourselves and pursuits when we fail to get adequate rest. Jesus took the disciples aside to a deserted place to rest. We must learn to respect the limitations of our bodies. If we push it too hard without allowing it adequate time to renew itself, we would be asking for trouble. Ernest Hemmingway, one of the finest thinkers and writers of his time said, “I still need more healthy rest in order to work at my best. My health is the main capital I have. I want to administer it intelligently.”
I believe God will give you grace to know when and how to rest your body adequately without resorting to idleness or slothfulness. Take out time to rest your body properly to keep it from breaking down. God will help you in Jesus’ name.
Memorize & Meditate:
“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2 ESV
Prayer/Confession:
Lord, I thank You for giving me rest. Help me to know when to withdraw and get rest without resorting to idleness. Today I make a fresh commitment to get rest for my soul, in Jesus’ name!
