Rest in the Lord vs Self-Care

"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."  -Mark 6:31

Jesus was the visible image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15). When He spoke, He spoke the Words of God because He was the Word of God in the flesh (John 1). When He tended to the needs of His disciples, He displayed the heart of God toward humanity. In this unique moment recorded in Mark's gospel account of Jesus's ministry, we see the heart of God, and the Word of God, towards a group of exhausted and grief stricken men who had just endured the death of their dear friend, John the Baptist.  Amidst their grief, they were still tending to the endless needs of those coming and going to hear the teachings of Jesus--so much so, that they were neglecting to eat!

So what was God's deepest desire for these men in this moment of physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual exhaustion?

To retreat and rest.

In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus invites ALL who are weary and burdened to come to Him for soul level rest. While this invitation was specifically directed towards individuals who were being burdened by the legalism of the Pharisees, its deeper implication stands true today. When the burdens of this world--and yes, even religious burdens--feel too much for us to bear, Jesus invites us to retreat in Him, and partake in His rest. 

Jesus level rest looked like intentional prayer in desolate places in nature (Matthew 26:26-56, Luke 6:12-16).
Jesus level rest looked like alone time with the Father ( Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35).
Jesus level rest looked like peaceful naps (Matthew 8:23-27).
Jesus level rest looked like recovery and nourishment (Matthew 4:11).

After Jesus experienced 40 days of brutal temptation in the desert (Matthew 4), the Angels were sent to tend to Him in a time of recovery. What happened immediately after this period of intentional rest? Years of the most impactful and fruitful ministry in all of history. 

As we enter a season that is full of busy Holiday events, and also extended time off work, God invites us all to engage in intentional rest in Him. Retreat with the Lord. Experience His peace. Fill your cup with His endurance. Rest in the Lord truly is the most fruitful kind of rest that exists for whole body recovery--right down to the soul.

Who knows, maybe your most impactful and fruitful season of ministry will follow an intentional period of retreating in the Lord for soul level rest!