Rest

Scripture: Mark 6:30-24. 

^30-31 The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.

^32-34 So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.

Observation:
"God designed us to be productive.  But we build our identities around our activities.  We are not living in the truth of who God created us to be.  We have become human "doings" rather than human "beings".  We need a biblical framework for a rhythm of life that allows us to be fruitful in balance with being at rest." --Mike Breen, "Building a Discipling Culture."   He points out that God created human kind and commanded them to rest on the Sabbath day.  God established a creative/recreative rhythm that requires rest.  We are not made to work 24/7/365.  We are made in God's image, and God rests.
Mike goes on to suggest that our productivity as people of faith begins with rest.  We grow and bear fruit out of a season of abiding in the still presence of God.  This is not easy for American busy bodies like us.  We reverse the order and usually crash exhausted after a period of overwhelming busyness.  Rest comes only after we're worn out, weary, and dragging.  We are a commodity society of endless production that considers rest a sign of weakness.  And we are teaching our kids this vicious cycle by involving them in as many extracurricular activities as we can tokeep us endlessly running and constantly moving.  
In contrast, Jesus invites his enthusiastic disciples to take a break and rest after their first exciting and successful day out on mission together.  They were literally running low on fuel, with no time even to eat!  Rather than send them back out, he invites them to come away on retreat with him. 
While they rest at his feet, Jesus teaches the crowds who gathered around them.  He invites more than his disciples into his rest.  He invites crowds of people---all anxious and restless, looking for help and guidance for their lives. I suspect Jesus invited all of them to relax and trust in their creator to provide for them in every need.  No need to work now.  Rest and let God do the work.   

Application:
 We are made to live in a holy and healthy rhythm of rest and work, abiding and frutifulness (see Gospel of John chapter 15).  Jesus knows you need times for rest, reflection, restoration, and re-creation.  Every day. Every week.  Every month and season and year. This contemporary culture will work us to death if we let it.  It will devour all of our time, our attention, our physical and mental energy and reserves until we have nothing left.  Have you ever been so busy that you failed to stop to eat? I have, more often than I care to admit. 
This week, make sure you're getting to rest (not just enough sleep).  Rest includes time apart with your beloved community, your extended family.  
What restful activity is restorative to you?  What would restful worship look like?  How can dinner church and huddle be space/time of restoration for us? 

Prayer :
O Lord, you bid us come and rest awhile and you see how busy and restless we are.  Help us to choose your life rhythm.  Help us to find balance and teach us to trust you to do the heavy lifting today.  Amen.