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30After the apostles returned to Jesus, they told him everything they had done and taught. 31But so many people were coming and going that Jesus and the apostles did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said, "Let's go to a place where we can be alone and get some rest." 32They left in a boat for a place where they could be alone.
*Mark 6.30-32, NLV
22 At once Jesus had His followers got into the boat. He told them to go ahead of Him to the other side while He sent the people away. 23 After He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone.
*Matthew 14.22-23, NLV
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Our scriptures today address two forms of rest. Our first passage speaks of the apostles needing physical rest apart from the demands of the crowds. Our second scripture speaks of the rest that is not only ceasing ordinary activity, but the restfulness of prayerful solitude and silence alone.
The man who has often been called America's "time guru," John P. Robinson, has said that people sleep more than they think they do. He says that though we have more leisure time than ever, we report feeling "stressed, rushed, and crunched for time."
Robinson terms this malaise "over-choice." We get overwhelmed with the amount of options available and realize that regardless of what we do, something is left undone.
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Christian writer David C. McCasland observed, "If our identity is defined by activity, we operate on the principle, 'The more we do, the more we are.' We are exhausted, and we are the reason."
Certainly, diligence is a virtue. The writer of II Timothy 2.15 gives advice to a pastor on diligence and it applies to all Christians: Work hard (or, be diligent) so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth" (NCV).
As a pastor I find that I have a vocation that is full-time and all the time. I enjoy my work very much. I find, however, that I must practice discernment, careful self-care, and healthy personal boundaries. This, too, applies to the need of every Christian.
My life, then, is grounded in daily prayer. Without a daily devotional life I will easily lose focus and spread myself too thin. I will be at the whim of the moment, and lose inner contentment. I will become easily exhausted with stress.
Part of spiritual discernment relates to wisdom of accepting that we have limits and God does not intend for us to live a life patrolled by all the possibilities. We are not to try to do all we could do. If we do try to do all things and be all things to all persons, we will suffer health problems, lose balance, and our relationships will suffer from lack of time, attention, and nurture.
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