“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.’ But he answered them, ‘You give them something to eat…’ And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
“Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.” Mark 6:30-37a,40-47
Jesus’s public ministry was continually fueled by private prayer. He gave and gave to the good of many, weathered biting criticism and grievous news, but also drew and drew from His heavenly Father. By necessity He often withdrew to be solitary, jealously guarding leisure with the Lord, modeling and encouraging the same for His followers. It was the very communion with God He kept that sharpened His vision, heightened His compassion, and empowered His teaching and training. (Mark 6:1-3,26-29)
Any zealous living for the Lord and consistent ministry is draining. Life spent for Him and others spends us to the limit of natural resources. The crowd of needs and personalities and responsibilities will never stop pressing, so we must by act of will make time with Jesus a priority. If we do not recognize our need for regular renewal through this communion, the Lord might force it upon us by a crash of passion, energy, or vision. It’s imperative for fruitful work and service to heed His call to come away by ourselves and be refreshed.
Are we too busy doing good things to know our limits? What inane occupations have filled any margin and desensitized us to the deep need for quiet leisure with God? Sequestering ourselves never just happens. Time needs to be planned, doors need to be closed, devices need to be turned off (and maybe abandoned), hearts need to be silenced and refocused. What will we implement this day to make the desolate place with God a hallowed and frequented place in our rhythms of time?
Lord, help me guard and treasure my time with You.
As the rain and snow 