Are you running on empty? In this season of giving, we can push ourselves to go, go, go, and then suddenly find ourselves drained.
When we find ourselves with a long “to do” list, it is important to find time to take care of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. It’s not selfish to take a break and rejuvenate ourselves. After all, we cannot give if we have nothing left.
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Mark 6:30-34. Jesus’ disciples had just returned from a mission that Jesus had sent them on to preach repentance, heal the sick and cast out demons.
“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.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” ~Mark 6:30-34
Jesus tried to take them to a solitary place, but the people rushed ahead of them. After teaching the people on the other side of the lake, Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the 5000 by blessing and dividing just five loaves of bread and two fish. Then, He sent the disciples back to the boat right away, dismissed the crowd and went up on a mountainside alone to pray.
Jesus knew the importance of taking time away from the busyness to rest with the Father. Luke 5:15-16 notes, “Yet, the news about Him spread all the more, so the crowds of people came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
When we read through the Gospels, we find several times that Jesus slipped away to pray alone. One example is Mark 1:35, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”
Luke 6:12-13 (ESV) is another example, “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:” Jesus knew the importance of spending time alone with the Father before His important meeting with the ones He would chose to be His witnesses.
Even when life is busy and our to do list is long, we must take time to be alone with God. We must follow the example Jesus set for us while He was here on earth. He found moments to be alone with the Father, and we must do the same. We need Him to speak into our lives and breathe life back into us as we read His word and pray. Then we can be ready to pour out to others again.
Just as he beckoned His disciples to “come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest,” He calls to us as well. Sometimes, we are able to take the day to sit at His feet. Other times, our time alone with Him may be cut short as it was for His disciples in Mark 6 when the crowds of people were waiting for Jesus and the disciples on the other side of the lake. However, when we are with Him, He gives us the wisdom, strength and all we need to minister where the Father wills.
Are you running on empty? Take time to be alone with Jesus. Let Him unclutter your mind, untangle your heart and refresh your body, mind and spirit. Whether you must get up early in the morning while everyone else is still in bed, stay up late while others sleep or slip away at lunch, find the time. He understands and knows what you need. Slip away with Him by yourself to a quiet place and find some rest.