Worn Out

And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. Mark 6:31 NKJV

We may think busyness is a modern problem, but then we run across a verse like Mark 6:31. I can relate to this verse, can't you? If you know me, you know I haven't missed many meals, but there are times when I get worn down by the demands of life. They are unceasing!

Laundry, cooking, cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, child care, paying bills, and standing in line at the DMV…it never ends! Add to this your "real" job, and the load weighs even heavier. And if you're involved in any type of ministry endeavors (and every Christian should be), you know that ministry can be quite demanding, as well.

So, what do we do? Check out of life and move into a cave? No, we follow the Lord's counsel found here in the Gospel of Mark. We come apart and rest a while. God even modeled rest when He was busy creating our world.

The old North Carolina Evangelist Vance Havner used to say it this way: “‘Come ye yourselves apart…, and rest a while’ (Mark 6:31) is a must for every Christian. If you don’t come apart, you will come apart!’”

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of rest. Please help me to know when I have been pushing too hard for too long, and I need to come apart and rest a while. Thank You that while I'm resting, You are fully awake and caring for all things, including me. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.