Come with Me and Get Some Rest
Posted on July 1st, 2010
Pastor’s Column published in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter for July, 2010)
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all 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 quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:30-31).
Well, summer is finally here, and this is a time when many of us go on vacations or try to live life at a slightly slower pace. As I read and meditated on the above passage from Mark 6, it dawned on me that many times, we’re so busy doing things for Jesus that we don’t have time to spend with Jesus! Yet, our Lord desires for us to go with Him to a quiet place and get some rest.
As I look back on this year so far, we’ve done a lot here at Farmville Baptist. By the time you read this, our VBS will just have finished, and I am thankful for Cindy Cave and Sarah Thompson, who co-directed our VBS and for all our volunteers! We could not have done it without them! But this passage in Mark reminds me that while there is a time to work hard, and there is also a time to rest in the presence of Jesus. William C. Martin wrote the following meditation for pastors, but I think his wise words can apply to everyone.
If you fill your calendar with important appointments
you will have no time for God.
If you fill your spare time with essential reading
you will starve your soul.
If you fill your mind with worry
about budgets and offerings,
the pains in your chest and the ache in your shoulders
will betray you.
If you try to conform to the expectations of those around you
you will be forever their slave.
Work a modest day
then step back and rest.
This will keep you close to God.
(William C. Martin, The Art of Pastoring: Contemplative Reflections, p. 9.)
Martin encourages us to take a long, prayerful, meditative look at our calendars and ask ourselves: Who are we trying to impress? God? Our boss? Ourselves? What would it look like if we cut some big chunks of each week for family, rest, meditation, prayer and flower sniffing?
This summer, I’m going to try to explore Martin’s questions and follow his advice, and you are welcome to hold me accountable! This summer, may you also find time to go with Jesus by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest!
Resting in Christ, Michael
Tags: rest, summer
Filed under News Column |