Back to School

Pause

At the start of the new school year, we hit the ground running with school work and activities. But from time to time our souls need us to slow down, to take a study break, to rest, to play, to pray. Let this be one of those moments:

“Come away from rush and hurry
to the stillness of God’s peace;
from our vain ambition’s worry,
come to Christ and find release.”

Marva Dawn in “Come Away from Rush and Hurry” (1999)

Listen

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. Many people were coming and going, so there was no time to eat. He said to the apostles, “Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.” They departed in a boat by themselves for a deserted place.

Mark 6:30-32

Think

Have you ever been so busy that you have forgotten to eat? Only when you step aside do you realize that you have missed a meal. When you take time to rest, you realize just how hungry you are.

When the disciples come up to Jesus they are overjoyed at all they had been doing. They were teaching in his name. They were doing the work of justice and healing. They wanted to share what they had done and probably expected words of praise from Jesus. Instead, Jesus offers them rest – for they had been too busy to eat.

The call of Jesus demands everything. He calls us to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. To love God well, we need to be well. Without rest and food, how can we give God our full hearts and souls, our attentive minds, and our playful energy?

Come away and rest for a while.

Return refreshed and see what God can do.

Kyle Caudle

Pray

Lord Jesus, let me follow your example of stepping aside to rest for a while. There is always work to be done, but my soul comes first. Fill my soul with faith for the journey. Amen.

Go

Rest now in God, throughout the hurry of your day

Finding a space to pause, to pray, to play

And in that space of rest and re-creation

Remember:

You are enough

Because Christ is enough

Amen.