“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ ” (Mark 6:30-31)
How do you handle it when your plans get changed, even for good reasons? Does it stress you out? Do you feel disappointed, angry even? We’re going to learn along with Jesus’ disciples this week some big ideas about how to handle an unexpected change of plans.
Being one of Jesus’ disciples was a crazy life. They were worn out, too busy from ministry with Jesus among the huge crowds to even find time to eat. Jesus saw the problem and said, “Let’s get away; we need rest.”
I’d guess that sounded really good to them. They’d just come back from a mission away from Jesus; they probably felt like they needed some time with him that didn’t involve hordes of needy people. You might feel that way sometimes. Time alone with God is important. Rest is essential. We’re not built to just keep going – even in serving God – without stopping until we fall over.
So the plan was to get a break – but the break didn’t happen. Come back tomorrow.
Think: On a scale from 1 to 10, how busy has your life been, lately? Have you been busy doing good things – or just doing? Do you ever get too busy to eat properly? How are you at resting and taking some time to just be alone with God once in a while?
Pray: Ask God to help you to be busy in your life doing things that are worthwhile. Ask him, too, to give you enough times of rest and being alone with him to keep from getting too worn out.
Do: Plan some restful time alone with God in the next week or so.