54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
Interestingly, in God’s perfect timing, sometimes it is necessary for us to be in the midst of happenings – smack dab in the center of the thick of things and sometimes He removes us from all the hoopla, surrounds us with our closest companions and offers us places of respite and refreshment. Both are necessary in a life. I am reminded of Jesus’ Words to His disciples when they were in earnest need of a break:
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 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 (NIV)
Thankfully, our Lord constantly takes cognizance of our toils, trials and fears and provides suitable relief. Rest and refreshment are held out to the weary and refuge for the terrified. The most active servants of the Master cannot always be working at full steam but must remain aware of the limitations of their physical bodies. Our Lord graciously cares for our bodies and considers its frame not only allowing us times of rest but also reminding us of resting. He is fully aware of our frailty. King David tells us in Psalms:
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalms 103:13-14 (NIV)
Solomon tells us also there is a time for everything – seasons when it is duty to retire and seasons when it is duty to go forward:
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: Eccl 3:1 (NIV)
When our loads become too heavy where a straw would break the proverbial camel’s back, Jesus’ comforting Words to us in Matthew should come to mind encouraging us to come and sit at His feet:
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 (NIV)
As we come to Jesus and sit at His feet through the study of His Word and learn from Him, following His example, we are both strengthened and satisfied. Our encounters with Jesus bring rest and refreshment to our weary souls. He thankfully meets us where we are. There is no pretense when we meet with the Master – no masks. His penetrating gaze pierces the crustiest of hearts helping us to see our need. He stoops to teach us – giving milk to the babes and meat to those further in the Way. He longs for us to take advantage of His offer of aid and of achieving power. I am reminded of David’s words in Psalm 139:
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. Psalms 139:1-4 (NIV)
It is also interesting to note as well that our Lord chose a season of quiet and seclusion as His last dwelling before His season of heaviest trial and suffering at the crucifixion. This sets for us a wonderful example of being alone and still before taking on a great work of God. There was no parade or limelight in our Lords actions simply communion with His Father and private instruction to His closest companions in an obscure part of the country. I think it is important to note that our seasons of rest are not seasons of inactivity rather seasons of filling. It is Jesus’ desire for us to manifest more and more of the Holy Spirit’s achieving power, walking in the abundance of life is His desire for all His children. It is the high way; it is the way of peace. As we spend time in His Word and in prayer, as we empty ourselves of self and apply His Truth to our lives through His power, we grow up in Him. The emptier our vessels of self the more capacity we have to receive from God. This emptying of self and filling of the Holy Spirit is a necessity for a ministry of power. It would do us all well to remember that apart from Christ we can do nothing of eternal value. Producing fruit in keeping with repentance is done through His power alone. Jesus tells us:
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing .” John 15:5 (NIV)
“Nearness to Christ, intimacy with Him, assimilation to His character – these are the elements of a ministry of power.” Horatius Bonar
“Most of us get up in the morning saying, ‘I am going to make something of my life, and I’ll follow Jesus too.’ But I just want you to know that we can’t have it both ways. We have to have the formula right. ‘Follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and as you follow Me, I will make something of your life.’” Joseph Stowell, III
"Let us work as if success depended upon ourselves alone, but with heartfelt conviction that we are doing nothing, and God everything."
~ St. Ignatius Loyola