Rest Well
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)
Our homes are filled with time-saving devices – microwaves, dishwashers, calendars and communication devices on our wrists and in our pockets. These devices are meant to save us time and give us space to rest. How has that worked out? Well, as the old saying goes, work expands to fill empty space. True statement, but only a half statement. These devices have given us more time to work, but also more time to worry. Because we can track packages in an instance, we track them in every instant. Because we can talk to people at any time, we worry in the times when we cannot talk to them. Let’s face it – if we checked our P.O. box as often as we checked our email, we might as well live at the post office.
But let’s ask a question. Who is busier than Jesus? We rarely read of a moment in which Jesus is not being bombarded with busyness. Everyone is vying for his time and attention, and yet we find Him resting. How does that work? The answer isn’t, “Well, He was God, so He never got tired.” He was also fully man! He was so exhausted that He took a nap in a boat during a storm. Jesus’ rest was a matter of faith and a matter of practice.
As a matter of faith, Jesus believed in His Father’s sovereign hand. In all things and in every way, He depended upon His Father’s plan and His Father’s provision. He walked by faith. Let’s face it – we fail in this area. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said, “Our greatest danger is to live upon our activity.” We often replace faith with frantic activity. If we can just do more, then everything will be okay. When Jesus walked this earth, He embraced the limits of the humanity He assumed. He embraced the finitude of flesh and clung to the faithful promises of His Father. How do I know? Because He only did what His Father commanded Him to do. Walking by faith means walking where God has called us, depending on the resources God has provided.
As a matter of practice, Jesus made time for rest. His rest was intentional. Much like the tree-cutting competition between the old man and the young whippersnapper. The young man cut and cut and cut, but he lost. How? He’s young, stronger, faster! The answer is simple. The older man intentionally stopped to sharpen his axe. Many of us have lost our edge because we haven’t rested. Why not? Do we believe the world depends upon us? Do we not believe God can keep this thing spinning while we rest for a while? We must intentionally set apart time to divert daily, to withdraw weekly, and to abandon annually.
Let it be said clearly: a faith that rests in Jesus rests for Jesus. If we are to labor long and hard for Christ, we must also rest a while for Christ.
