Today’s scripture: Mark 6:30-31
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught. Then because so many people were coming and going, that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them; ‘come with me by yourselves to a place and get some rest.”
According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens, a man noticed Aesop, the great storyteller, playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activities. Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening up its strings and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, “Now answer the riddle if you can; tell us what the unstrung bows implies.” The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained “if you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.
Indeed man is a lot like that. Every now and again, we all need to take out time to rest in order to be more effective and to tackle our tasks with renewed strength. This is of paramount importance to our overall well being. Research has shown that stress, which is often the absence of sufficient rest, can lead to a poor immune system. The body being so tired often reduces in its capacity to fight off diseases and infections.
More amazing however is that God, the absolute Creator, made us and fashioned our body in such a way as to protect itself. Our white blood cells are constantly working according to the wisdom of God, warding off infections, but we have our roles to play in making sure that they are not overly strained due to a lack of rest. Even Jesus bided his disciples to take some time off all other activities and simply rest.
Today, so many things seem to strive for our attention, deadlines from work, demands from family, social engagements, religious commitments, and all of this coupled with the endless stream of emails, tweets, and Facebook promptings calling for our attention. Rest therefore becomes an activity that we must intentionally strive at. As Christians, God expects us to be deliberate about hitting the refresh button. It would be unwise to burn out. Yes, He has given us health in Christ Jesus, but also the responsibility of wisdom, to rest our bodies. The Bible is replete with examples of this. We must take time to rest from our work; physically and mentally.
Cast your body on a bed or couch periodically, and cast your cares on the Lord permanently. He will give you rest, in Jesus’ name.
Meditate and Memorize:
“Come unto me all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest.” Mathew 11: 28
Prayer/Confession:
Father I thank You for grace to labour and the grace to rest. I thank You because You give me the wisdom to know when to press on and when to stay back to replenish. Today, I come to you just as I am, and I ask for your yoke which is light and for Your peace that has the capacity to truly sooth my mind and body in Jesus’ name. Amen.
