Bi-Weekly Devotional |
So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. Mark 6:32 In the book of Mark Chapter 6, beginning at verse 30, the apostles were sharing with Jesus about all the work that they had done and how tired they were. They had been working hard and had accomplished much, and they were physically tired and very drained. Their works had touched the lives of many people and it was evident in the people who followed them. Therefore, Jesus recognized that they needed to get away, go off to a quiet place - by themselves and rest for a while. Jesus knew that if they didn't get away folk would not leave them alone, but would be continuously bombarding them. Just like you and me, sometimes we are so busy running here and there, doing this and doing that to the point where we become drained. Often, you can do too much and cause yourself more of a burnout than if you just take time out and rest for a little while. You can go, go, go. You can do, do, and do. You can take, take and take, but just like the apostles who walked close with Jesus became tired and needed to get away, sometimes we do too. If you're not careful, you can go too much, do too much and take too much until if you're not careful, you will burn yourself out. When you burn yourself out, you will become unusable and ineffective. There are times when just taking time off is not enough, you actually need to get away to a quiet place. In this quiet place, some spiritual things should take place, manifest and come forth while you're there. You're not just going to a quiet place to do nothing, but you're going to a quiet place to hear from God. While in this quiet place, your spirit must be rejuvenated by spending time in prayer and in the Word. While there, because you'll be in tune with the Spirit of god, you will be waiting to hear from the Lord. When he speak to you, he will give you specific directions, instructions and encouragement to make it through. Being in this quiet place allows God to rip up spirits, stuff, issues and agendas that we have which separates us from God. But, most of all it quiets your heart for God to deal with what it is made of. Through all of this period of quietness, God will renew your mind and will transform your whole being. This place of quietness will prepare you for the work which is ahead of you. Just like with the disciples, when they came from the quiet place, they didn't just sit and do nothing, but they immediately got right back to work. We need to do the same thing. Even still after the rest period, even after spending time with God, You still have to keep on praying and know that you life is in God's hand. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Pro 3:5 Heavenly Father: It's in your Son Jesus name that we bless your name on tonight. God we thank you that you're teaching us how to take time out to rest in you. Father you know all about the rush, hustle and bustle that we all as your children go through on a daily basis but regardless of what we face we thank you that you don't allow our situations to over consume us. Thank you for your word which has specific instructions of wisdom for us to go by. There is no other God like you, we can see our every mood, We thank you for your rejuvenating power, your transformation power, and your life saving power. We bless you for caring for us and for loving us in spite of ourselves. In Jesus name - Amen! |