Being intentional about this important aspect of our lives

How many times have you recently thought to yourself: "I am tired. I need to get some rest. I feel drained." If you have experienced these feelings and emotions, then I ask another question: "have you managed to find a gap to restore your soul?"

When Jesus was constantly in the public arena and ministering to the crowds, he felt the same as we often feel. He was tired and needed time to recoup and regain his inner strength. Even in the midst of the demands, he made time to withdraw, even if it was for a short time.

45 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. 46 After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. (Mark 6)

The people that Jesus sent home were the 5000 that he had just fed - that is a lot of people to send packing. However, Jesus did this graciously and knew that without taking care of his own soul, he would have nothing to give the people in the future. This is such a hard practise for us to get right, but something that it well worth us being intentional about.

Vane Havner once said: If you don’t come apart and rest, you will come apart.”

If you would like to read another similar post on this topic, please re-read the post from last week. For some reason, this post was 'taken down' by Facebook and so many haven't been able to read it. I think it was due to the name of the energy drink I mentioned in the title :)

Living in grace

D3LM3

Even in your darkest hour, Christ wants to draw near to you.

 

"Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the water." - Mark 6: 47-48

At three o'clock in the morning it is arguably one of the darkest periods of the night. It certainly can be one of the loneliest too. For the disciples trying to row back home on the Sea of Galilee, they were really up against the elements that particular evening. They were physically and emotionally spent. 

However, what I love about Mark's account of this incident, is that Jesus 'sees' them and then makes a movement towards them. Too often we get caught up in trying to figure out how Jesus actually walked on water - we struggle to get our minds around the physics of the moment, forgetting the gift of his calming presence. 

Jesus wants to come to us, even in our darkest hour. Do you feel that you are struggling with many things at the moment, and you are getting into serious difficulties? If yes, then why don't you call out to God and open your heart to His life-giving presence.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Do we have this the wrong way around?

 

I have come across this quote twice in the last week, so thought it would be good to reflect on it.

"People were created to be loved.
Things were created to be used.
The reason the world is in chaos is because

things are being loved and people are being used." - Unknown

There is some element of truth in this. It seems that the more 'things' we have in life, the less connected we can become. Jesus always saw value in the people around him and this was noticed by everyone. 

Mark 6:34 - "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So, he began teaching them many things."

Thought: Although some people may treat us as commodities, God never will. 

Do we love things more than we love people? 

Living in grace

D3LM3