Come away and rest a while

The period of Jesus' life recorded in Mark 6 makes me realize the emotional roller coaster He must have been on during that time.  From rejection, grief, sadness, weariness, weakness, to then compassion, strength, and power.

He returned to his hometown only to be rejected and not taken seriously.  He hears of his cousin's death.  He is burden with the knowledge that his physical presence on earth is drawing to a close and his heart breaks seeing the five thousand as lost sheep with no shepherd.

The disciples had just returned from being sent out two by two to "get their feet wet" so to speak...they came back with grand stories to tell, high on their successes.

Jesus was weary, I think.  He realized he needed to both emotional and spiritual rest.  Come apart from all that was swirling around Him to just "be" before His Father.  He knew in light of what lay ahead that His disciples needed that as well. 

So He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  Mark goes on to say that the disciples "went away in a boat to a solitary place by themselves."

Well, Camp Hoblitzelle Camping & Conference Center is not a solitary, deserted place per se, and I don't have a boat...but I am confident without a doubt that the Lord is saying to me, "Come away and rest a while."

Isn't this what we're all looking for?  A word from the Lord?  Time cut out of our ridiculously hectic lives to actually give to Him...to just "be" and let Him do what He wants with it? 

I don't know about you, but I'm weary.  So tired of making decisions, tough ones at that...agonizing over life's challenges this past year...working crazy stupid hours and not making ends meet...I could go on and on as I know you could. 

Oh,God is in there somewhere, but life has been so overwhelming that He gets lost quite easily.  Wouldn't it be nice to just carve out a couple days to just "check out?"  Maybe that's a poor choice of words.  But, it's the truth.  I want to just check out of this world temporarily and give Him total focus.  I'm so beat up that I really don't plan to do much on my part.  But, I don't really think He wants me to.  He just wants me.  So, I'm bringing me to the G3 Summit this year.  No agenda, no study outlines, no minute-by-minute schedules...nothing.

Would you join me?

For a few days...put yourself at the top of your list for a change.  Make yourself and your relationship with God first.  Give Him "you."

Come. Away.

A Secluded Place.

Rest. A While.


I think we all will be amazed at what He's going to say and how we're going to feel loved!