|
Along with our ideas about what God expects of us, we must reflect on how we relate to God. Yes, it’s to be expected that we, as humans, wil sometimes –OK, a lot of times–get it wrong as we try to figure out how to be in relationship with God, how best to serve and honor our Creator. Maybe we think, “I got this and I can do all that I have in mind, for the Lord is with me.” And when we quickly learn, of course, that we got it wrong and then wonder how often we do get it wrong…because we overlooked…What would Jesus do?
Mark tells us about a time when the disciples gave in to their fatigue. “The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For people were coming and going, and the disciples had no leisure even to eat. And they did as Jesus told them. They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves and rested a while. Perhaps this encounter interjects for us a bit of advice, gently curtailing our own more intense comments. Maybe we reflect with some intentional questions for our well- being. Then, perhaps unexpectedly for us to fully understand, Jesus words resonate into our spiritual well-being, “Come away and rest a while.”
How many of us would resist Jesus’ command to rest? When I hear Jesus gently guiding the disciples to rest, I look around frantically at all that needs to be done–the people with wounds, the crowds wanting to see Jesus–and can’t imagine Jesus or his disciples resting. There’s still so much to be done, Jesus—what do you mean, rest?
Although there were people clamoring to see Jesus after he went away to pray; he left them in order to return renewed to his life among the people, healing and teaching and showing compassion to those who came to him.
The wonder of self-care is when I cherish the scripture that tells me that Jesus retreated for self-care. It isn’t just the sleep that is necessary; it’s that the rest insists our attention and for the day-to-day flurry of activity that needs to be interspersed with time for prayer and rest. All too often we end the day with a to-do list that’s longer than when we started. But before we check off the “should’ve list,” think about what would Jesus do? Jesus heeded how own advice and spent time away from the crowd. This is his advice for our self-care, for our devotionallife, and sense of spiritual well-being.
Finally, 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” Our self-care is understanding how much Christ cared for us first. It is not just about loving oneself, but to be loving while doing God’s work–living for His glory. Amen.
REV. CAROLE
|
0 Comments