Rest!

"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" – Mark 6:31c

Our tender Jesus bids us, "Come – with Me." How grateful we are that Jesus meets us at our place of weariness. He says, come, not go. He says to come to a peaceful place. In the rustle and bustle of our world we need Jesus' corner of composure and confidence. He says, come by yourselves. Jesus knows that only when we are alone will we be quiet so that we may hear what He has to say to us. There are many places and ways, reasons for and seasons of rest. Especially in nature do we find a holy intermission. There is nothing like a sunrise, a sunset, an hour on the river, or a walk at night when the stars sparkle, to give repose to our weary souls. Our humane Jesus doesn't want a left-over from labors, so He asks us to set aside our physical and mental stresses so we may re-create – restore – stamina and stimulus. "My soul finds rest in God alone" (Psalm 62:1a). When it is calm we use the oars. It is when the storm comes up that we cast our anchor. When life is sailing along smoothly, we make our resolutions and use our determination but, when the squall bears down, then we take hold of "hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19). We cast our anxieties into the calm depths of confidence. "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). The only guard we need is God. In our world of turmoil we must know there is Someone outside ourselves who we can absolutely trust. It is God only; all other help is vain. "Thou hast made us for Thyself, and the heart never resteth till it findeth rest in Thee" (St. Augustine).

How grateful we are that Jesus meets us at our place of weariness!