“How are you today?”, we ask each other as we quickly pass by. Do you really want to know I wonder? I always answer the same, “I am good.” But that’s only half the truth. I am good – but I am tired. Many of us spend so much energy on everyday tasks, we simply live exhausted most of the time.
Rest. It seems so untheological. We are supposed to be about the work of God. People need us. We diligently pray for strength to get through one more moment, one more task, one more day. We rely on coffee, green tea, energy smoothies, vitamins and nutritional supplements to give us a boost, to make us worthy of the next challenge. We need energy to get it all done.
Eat healthier. Exercise more. Relax. Push through. You can do it. I’ve listened, and tried, every bit of advice, and I have found benefits in them all, but I still get tired. God created our bodies, minds and our spirit to rest. Some of us need more than others, but all of us need rest.
Life. We live in a broken world that requires physical, mental and spiritual energy to sustain the ups and downs, the celebrations and sorrows, hopeful expectations and disappointment – the list goes on.
It’s not easy to find the rest we need. Even the men that walked the earth with Jesus, struggled with finding needed rest. The apostles and Jesus just finished a mission. When they returned to Jesus to report to him all they had done and taught, he encouraged them to get away and rest.
He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. – Mark 6:31
The word rest in this passage means exactly what we think it should – take ease, refresh and give yourself a break. The disciples were tired from their work. Jesus knew they needed rest.
Just as they had reached their remote destination for rest and renewal, they were met by a crowd of five thousand people. Can you imagine? You are worn out from work, from being everyone’s go-to person, so you take a little time for yourself. Then as soon as you arrive, ready to rest – there are five thousand hungry people waiting for you.
My heart would sink. The disciples did exactly what I would have. They asked Jesus to send the people away. But he didn’t. Instead, he put them to work. More work. Impossible work. How many times have we been too tired to face what is in front of us and asked Jesus to please take it away? Then nothing, no answer, but to keep on. Do the impossible.
At this point, the disciples are not only physically tired, they can’t wrap their minds around what Jesus has asked them to do and how it’s going to get done. In their tired minds, the burden is all on them.
But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” – Mark 6:37
All the disciples had were five loaves of bread and two fish. That’s it. No wonder they couldn’t see beyond their limitations. They had nothing, until they gave their burden to Jesus.
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed. – Mark 6:41-44
Jesus wants us to have rest. But more than physical rest, he wants us to rely on him in all circumstances, for all things – even the impossible. Jesus knew that the disciples would never experience the rest they needed until they understood who He was.
As we read further in Mark, we learn that the disciples continue to struggle with disbelief. Despite being witness to the miracles of Christ, they themselves did not enter the rest he offered. Though they followed him faithfully, their hearts were hardened (Mark 6:52), refusing to acknowledge their need for him.
Why didn’t Jesus just provide the physical and mental rest his disciples needed when they went away with him on the boat? Because Jesus knew that above all else, they needed to find rest in Him. He knew their hearts. He knew they were still chasing after what the world could give, instead of relying on Him.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” – Mathew 11:28
Jesus wants to bear every burden, he wants to manage every struggle and every moment of our time. He wants you to know that you need Him more than the world needs you.
The world will steal our rest. Unless we give every burden to Him, we will remain infinitely tired. Give him your sorrows, your worries, and your troubles. He will give you rest. Give him your marriage, your children, and your finances. He will give you rest. Give him your ambitions, your goals, and your future. He will give you rest.
Rest is found in a person, Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that you know him and trust him. It is my hope that you not only believe in him but believe him. Believe him when he promises that He is the giver of all things – even rest. Go to him, give him your burdens and experience the rest you need.
(you can find more from Becky on her blog by clicking on the link below)
