2017-10-06 - Rest

Originally Published 2007-06-18

According to a recent news article I read, Americans get an average of 14 days vacation per year. However, we only take 10 of them. I am proud to admit that I take every single one of mine, although I get less than the average. In fact, I almost wish I were a Frenchman just because they average 39 days of vacation each year - nearly 8 weeks out of 52. Resting is nothing to be ashamed of. I don't think so, and neither did Jesus.

Mark 6:31-32 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. ³² And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

Mark 7:24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

Twice we see the Lord trying to get away from it all, just to go rest. This past week, that is exactly what I did. I packed some work for church and for my paying job, but never quite got around to either - and you know what? It was great. I really relaxed. Want to know something else? It's okay to get away and rest. Although Jesus wound up having to feed thousands of people in Mark 6, and healing a demon-possessed girl in Mark 7, he tried to get away. And if it was okay for Jesus, in the midst of the most important work ever done, to take a break, it's quite alright for each of us to do the same.

I hope you can find the time to get away and rest. I hope you make the time!

IHFHBOH
Adam

acdum@hotmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org

All scripture references from KJV (King James Version) unless otherwise noted