Rest 7!

Rest 7!

‭Mark 6:31 AMPC‬

[31] And He said to them, [As for you] come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while–for many were [continually] coming and going, and they had not even leisure enough to eat.

We read about Jesus and his disciples here, after another season of hard work. The disciples had been sent out on a misson, and they had returned to give an account of all that they had taught and done. As it has been pointed out in previous devotions on this issue, rest is important after labour. God has laid down the perfect example for me to follow, as He had taken a day to rest after His work of creation was ended. If the Almighty God, who does not grow weary or tired, and does not need to sleep, could sanctify a day for rest, how much more should I as His child, also build in the capacity for rest into my life's schedule. We go on and on about work, maybe thinking that our success is tied to endless work and little rest. True success is not tied to mere human endeavour; there is a divine imprint my human aspirations must receive, for me to enjoy the success that God can take glory in. 

The disciples were sent out on a mission, and they came back to give a report to the One who sent them out. As Jesus did not rebuke them, it is safe to say that they discharged their responsibilities in line with the mandate that they had been given. Can the same be said of me too? Do I even know what I have been called to do? Am I at my duty post, or am I so focused on what God is doing in the life of another person that I have completely ignored His demands and expectations of my own life? The disciples knew who they were working for, and why they were working, so it was easy for them to return and give account of the mission. For Jesus to recommend rest, they must have deserved it. I take my cue from this, and ask God for grace to focus on the race that has been set before me. There are distractions all around, with many things seeking attention at the same time. 

I just must learn how to prioritise, focusing on what God takes as critical and important, and also trusting in His faithful provision for all He is demanding from me. God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied grace for. After work must come rest. There is a need to find a quiet place, somewhere I can be renewed for yet the next phase in the assignment I have been given. Jesus knew the importance of this, and as you read the bible, you find several instances where Jesus himself went to a quiet place to pray, and to rest. I am not sent to the whole world at the same time, and I cannot meet the needs of the whole world at the same time too. I must stay true to the work that has been committed into my hand, in the time that has been mandated for the work, and to the standard that leads to the glory of God. Rest will indeed be sweet and rewarding for such labour. Can God depend on me to work this standard? Work well; rest well. God's time of favour is here.