Rest and Recharge

And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

—Mark 6:31

 

 

Jesus often separated Himself from others so that He could spend time with His Father. In Mark 6:31 we see Jesus calling His disciples from the demands of ministry so they could rest. 

 

Many fervent Christians push themselves in ministry to the point where they are so physically exhausted, that their ministries suffer as a result. They don’t take the time to rest and recharge. They don’t take the time to care for the “temple” that houses their calling. Taking a break from the constant pressures of ministry strengthens and recharges you to fulfill the calling God has given you. 

 

In just the same way, many have failed to take the time to be still and know God (Psalm 46:10). If you don’t take a break from the ministry God has given you to have intimate fellowship with Him, what you do for Him will be ineffective. You will find yourself in ministry without His guidance and power. One of Satan's deadliest weapons against those involved in ministry is to keep them extremely busy. We have to balance our time ministering to others with our time of being ministered to by our Father. If the enemy can't stop you from being on fire for God, he'll try to stop you by burning you out.

 

In Mark 6:30, the disciples told Jesus all they had done and what they had taught. Jesus saw their exhaustion and took them to a deserted place for a much-needed break. However, the multitude followed them and grew even larger. The time that was needed for rest ended before it even started. But instead of being upset with the increasing number of those following Him, Jesus was moved with compassion. He began to teach them. After hours of teaching, the disciples reminded Jesus the people had nothing to eat. Five loaves of bread and two fish fed over five thousand men, not counting women and children. The disciples passed it out to thousands of people and gathered up what was left. It had been a hard day physically.

 

“Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray” (Mark 6:45-46).

 

The Lord intends for us to take care of ourselves physically as we can see in Mark 6:31 and also in 6:45-46. But when caring for Himself physically was frustrated by the demands of ministry, what did Jesus do? He knew His greatest priority. Being re-filled spiritually was absolutely essential. During the night He prayed and received the spiritual time with the Father He desperately needed. Just as Jesus did, we should always put the needs of our spirit ahead of the needs of our flesh. 

 

As much as physical rest is important to fulfill God’s calling, it is nothing compared to your spiritual need to be still and know God. Knowing God is being one with Him. It is agreeing with Him in who you are and what He wishes for your life. Knowing God is continually being filled with the Holy Spirit and receiving His guidance and leading. Your work for Jesus has no power without time away from the “busyness” of work to be refilled by your Father. Whatever God has called you to do can only become God’s best when you take time to rest in Him and know He is God.

 

Jesus’ time with His Father recharged Him. In the early morning hours, He rose from His time with His Father to walk on water to His disciples and calm the raging windstorm. Arriving with them by boat to Gennesaret, more people gathered. And ministry continued. 

 

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).  Whatever God has called you to do, is your calling. The spiritual gifts He has imparted to you are yours to be used for the benefit of others.  And you cannot benefit others if you are not benefited yourself by your Father.  

 

There will be times you need to be recharged physically, but your most important time is with your Father. Your calling is your calling. It is not withdrawn. One of the greatest joys you will ever experience is the Holy Spirit working in and through you to accomplish more than you ask or think. It is a joy that is indescribable.

 

Rest and recharge. Don’t burn out. You need the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit you receive from spirit-to-spirit communion with the Father. Seek to know the Father intimately. Seek knowing who is one with you in your born-again spirit. Continually receive His best to empower His best in you—to continually bring forth His best in ministry through you.

 

“Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened” (Mark 6:51-52).

 

Do you understand about the loaves? And what they mean in your life? Commune with your Father. Let the Holy Spirit soften your heart. He withholds nothing you need.

 

The disciples asked Jesus, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:28-29).

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