Come Away and Rest A While

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. // Mark 6:30-31

This is just a really busy time of the year; it will settle down. 

As I looked at  my to-do list, it was evident that I didn’t have time for anything else. I let out a big sigh, knowing this wasn’t even everything I needed or wanted to do.

Once this month passes, I will be able to rest. 

I love a busy schedule; there’s something so exciting about going from one place to another. So it was no surprise for me to see a full calendar month after month. But that day I realized the truth.

I just need a retreat. I need silence. 

I decided that my upcoming spring break needed to be dedicated to Jesus: it needed to be a time to rest, pray, and reset. It would look very different from all my spring breaks in the past. 

In today’s Gospel (see Mark 6:30-34), the Apostles had just returned from their first mission trip and were excited. They gathered around Jesus and told Him everything they had done. Imagine their excitement as they shared stories about healing the sick, casting out unclean spirits, and proclaiming the Gospel. And they were ready to do more, eager to be in action again. 

But Jesus responded to their enthusiasm with this invitation to “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). Jesus knew that this rest was the most important thing that His disciples could do in that moment, the most needed thing. They had done important work, but now it was time to rest with Him. 

When we think of rest, we usually think of resting our bodies. But when Jesus thinks of rest, He also desires rest for our souls. Something all of us need—something we desire. 

Sister, the Lord desires to offer you that rest. He invites you and me to the deserted place to rest awhile. Just like the Apostles, tell Him everything you have done, and everything that fills your calendar. Then, accept His invitation to go and rest a while.