“ … and He said to them, 'Come ye yourselves apart to a desert place, and rest a little,' for those coming and those going were many, and not even to eat had they opportunity,…” Mark 6:31
Coming apart at the seams ...Have you ever felt this way? As if after one more demand, one more thing to do, one more negative comment and you will just completely come apart?
One of the things I am starting to look at is how Jesus managed the demands of His ministry. All of those people, thronging around Him with needs. Those who just wanted to watch – those who wanted to hear – those who were simply curious.
It’s odd to me that the less I have to do now – the more I have to do. The demands pile up. Some – because I can’t do them. Some, because I don’t have time. There are so many reasons.
I wonder if Jesus ever felt there were too many demands. If He was ever overwhelmed. If He ever felt as if He was coming apart at the seams How did Jesus do it?
I know people will say he was perfect. That He was God. But He lived on the planet as a human being. He dealt with stress and tiredness, hunger and thirst. I’m sure he needed to be along. We can only give for so long before we are running on empty.
How do we refill? Where do we refill? When?
Jesus gave the answer to my question in Mark 6:31:
“ … and he said to them, 'Come ye yourselves apart to a desert place, and rest a little,' …”
Come ye apart to a desert place and rest a while.
I’m thinking He didn’t mean just a brief getaway time, but a time of solitude – a time of quiet spend with Him. A regular time apart.
Even in the world of chronic illness there can be so many things to do. Doctor’s appointments to keep, tests to get to, medicines to remember, and trying to keep up with the routines of everyday life.
Do you take time for solitude with Him. Do you do ask He asked? “Come ye apart and rest.”?
Resting in Him – and ”coming apart” – so we don’t come apart at the seams.
Father God, Thank you for the opportunities you continue to present us, even in our illnesses, pain, and challenges. You know each need we have, and have prepared ways for us to meet the demands we face. I pray that each reader will, today, make the time to “come apart” and meet with you. Amen and Am