It’s just after breakfast on a warm summer day as I sit at this beautiful lake. The water is motionless, and the air is still.
During the summer of 2011, I spent five mornings at this lake as I prepared for the work I would do that day.
Each morning, I would meet God here. I would take my Bible, my journal, and my camera, and spend a few moments resting and listening.
Life is hectic, and it was the same for disciples in Jesus’ time. Mark captures the moment after they return from their work. He says,
“Then Jesus said, “’Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.'”
Mark 6:31a
Jesus invited His disciples to leave the busyness of that day, and rest awhile. Later in the verse, it says because they barely had time to eat.
Does this sound like you?
Is your day so jam packed that you miss breakfast or lunch?
It happens to me all the time. I usually have time for breakfast or protein shake, but then the meetings start, and one thing leads to another, and soon I am packing up and heading home.
And, I missed lunch again.
Jesus saw the exhaustion with His disciples. He knew they could not sustain the pace they were on, and He offered an invitation.
It’s the same invitation He is offering us. He says, let’s go to a quiet place and rest awhile.
If we are not careful, we will waste away from the inside out. We need to slow down (ever so slightly) and hit the pause button.
Today, I encourage you to hit the pause button and rest awhile. Enjoy the sunset, sunrise, or the cool evening, and listen for God’s whisper.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for a gentle reminder that we cannot operate at 100 mph – we need to slow down. Help me to hit the pause button, and listen for Your gentle whisper. Amen!