It is 4:00 AM. I am sitting in front of my computer, starting my day by following the Praying Together with everyone in the Order, reading overnight email and news feeds from around the world, and reading the Scripture readings for today’s Mass. I’m thinking about what I should put into my Daily Reflections. Today’s readings are pretty powerful: The people have fled Pharoah, and Pharoah changes his mind and sets chase across the wilderness (Exodus 14:5-18). Meanwhile, the people are singing the praises of God who has freed them from their slavery (Exodus 15:1-6). And Jesus (Matthew 12:38-42) is telling the scribes and Pharisees that they are blowing their chance at redemption and there will be a price to pay. Surely there is something I can write about with all that going on. Yet, my mind keeps going back to Mark 6:1: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
When you hear the word rest, what comes to mind? The reality is that many of us find it hard to rest. We are struggling just to keep up with the world. We do not even have time to simply breathe. Many of us feel too burned out to even think about rest. And the world tells us that if you are burned out, it is your fault. We’re in survival mode. Exhausted.
Then Jesus tells us, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Jesus does not say, “Come to me you who are happy, cheerful and optimistic.” Jesus understands our humanity. Jesus Himself experienced exhaustion and loneliness. He has tasted weariness, anxiety, and stress. And Jesus invites us to rest.
We can’t drop our jobs and move away from our family and friends, but we can inject pockets of rest, to pull away from our daily routine. Even Jesus told His disciples to leave and escape the masses by boat, even though the peoples’ needs were still unmet! Could God be prompting you to “leave by boat”—to take a radical break from your routine to get some rest and enjoy silence, so you can hear God’s whispers and feel his nearness again?
Elijah had done everything he knew how to do—even defeating the prophets of Baal. Yet, his problems did not go away. Stress broke Elijah’s spirit. In despair, he fell asleep. Elijah woke up to find fresh bread baking on hot stones and water—left by God just for him. Not only that. God sent an angel—to touch him–twice. God knew Elijah needed physical rejuvenation to hear His gentle voice, whispering in a gentle breeze.
Don’t get me wrong. God does not say, “Well, I’ll just move on to use someone else.” It’s the opposite. God loved Elijah deeper. Could God be inviting you to deeper intimacy through rest?
Sometimes it takes greater faith and courage to admit we’re tired and we need to reassess why we’re doing what we’re doing. God welcomes soul searching. And He loves being with us on that intimate journey.
Move as God prompts you, inspired by His goodness, rather than by fear and guilt. Trust God one day at a time. His guidance and grace come like manna. No more than we need. No less. Just right for today.
One last rest inducing tip to add. It’s not in the Bible, but I think it’s still a good one. Brew a nice cup of coffee or tea. Drink slowly. Enjoy.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!