Jesus said to them, `Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while.’ Many people were coming and going. They could not even eat.’ Mark 6:31

Maya Angelou, an American poet, singer, and civil rights activist said, “Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”

Mark Buchanan, an American physicist, and author “Most of the things we need to be most fully alive never come in busyness. They grow in rest.”

Alan Cohen, a famous American author of inspirational books, said, “There is virtue in work, and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.”

When you are very busy with no rest, you would not be able to love or do anything worthwhile. You feel emotionally drained. Without rest, we can get upset and angry, especially with those close to us. This could include a spouse and children. They are the most loved. However, we end up shouting at them.

Jesus sent his disciples two by two to preach, heal the sick, and cast out impure spirits. They were busy doing all these tasks. On top of that, they heard about John the Baptist’s beheading, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. They were physically and emotionally worn out with the works and the horrible news. Many people were coming and going. They did not even have time to eat. Jesus knew the need for rest. 

He said to them, “come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while. “

Beloved, when you are physically and emotionally worn out, you feel inadequate for the task in front of you. You even think you are a failure. What you need are quietness and rest. Jesus asks you to be alone and take a rest. We all need to be alone and rest to rejuvenate ourselves before we tear apart and wear out. David, the king of Israel, who wrote many Psalms, said this when he was physically and emotionally tired, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” (Psalm 55:6).

God’s servants/Jesus lovers need rest as well. Make sure to be alone and take a rest. You may have to out and eat good food. Take an evening or morning rest by doing nothing. Take a day or two off. Sometimes we think taking time off is a sin because we want to serve God. We are passionate about it. Taking rest and time apart is not a sin. God, after the creation of all, commanded them. Genesis 2:2 says this, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” Bible says in Isaiah 40:28, “The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary.” Then why did he took a day off? Not for him because he never gets tired or weary. I believe He set an example for us to follow.

You see, quietness and rest are imperative for effective work and service. Alternatively, You will not be able to love and help if you do not have quiet time and rest. Body and soul recuperate from quietness and rest. 

Beloved, if you never came to Jesus Christ, you do not have rest for your soul. Jesus lovingly calls you. Jesus said, “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. (Matthew 11:28). If you come to Jesus, he will grant you rest for your souls here on this earth and throughout eternity after your death. He forgives your sins, gives you peace with God, the incredible peace of God, and eternal life in heaven.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I need the rest you offer my soul and spirit. I invite Jesus into my heart. Come and bless me with your rest and peace. I believe you died in my place and rose again for all of my sins. Please forgive me and save me today. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”