Thursday, March 3, 2016

Faithful Pathways: Rest, or not...

The beginning of the story of the feeding of the 5000 in Mark is easily overlooked because the miracle is so compelling. But the disciples have been working, have come back and reported, and Jesus says...time for rest.

You have to think they are grateful, anticipating a bit of down time, some good food, just being with each other and Jesus. Rest. What we wouldn't give....

But the people figured out where they were going and got there first and so Jesus feels compassion and goes to work again.

Do the disciples? Perhaps? Or perhaps they sit around and roll their eyes. Or maybe they complained under their breath? Maybe they went to work and their fatigue from that led to the reluctance to "feed them"...OK aside from the sheer cost.

I just wonder where we are in the equation. Where is the rest/work/rest rhythm? What constitutes work and what is worship or prayer or something else? Are we as willing to step in when we are expecting rest as Jesus was? A good friend told me today she was going to work this week, then not so much next week...but then she back pedaled...yeah, I'll work...she grinned.

The need, the rest, the prayer, the worship....what's the rhythm that feeds our souls and what' the step too far than wears us out?

Maybe you have answers.

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