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Writer's pictureImmanuel Baptist Church

Nov 21 Devotion: Rest for the Weary


Mark 6:31 “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”


The whirlwind of the holidays is about to begin. Tomorrow will begin, for some, a mad dash that will seem to carry on through the New Year. This is not a mandatory undertaking, but many will undertake much more than they usually do throughout the rest of the year. Nerves will be shot, people easily become withdrawn in their commotion, and, if a Christian is not careful, the sudden arrival of all that accompanies the holidays will overwhelm their flesh and occupy all their thoughts. This will, of course, lead to spiritual fatigue and malnutrition.


As you go throughout the weekend, do as Paul instructed us and be transformed by the renewing of your mind to avoid being conformed to this world. Alter your perspective and find some desert oasis to escape to in the midst of your endeavors. The disciples in our text were so strained that their free time was limited to just eating before heading back out to labor for the Lord. The holidays are meant to be a time of respite from the day-in day-out of the world. Times to purposefully set aside work and the world to appreciate what the Lord has bestowed upon us and to take note of the grace that was Jesus’ birth.


When you find yourself stressed, look for a desert place. It may not be an escape to a refuge, it may simply be the perspective which you choose to utilize in your situation. While in traffic, instead of becoming stressed and angry take time to thank God for the vehicle that you have and the fact that our roads aren’t riddled with pot holes or made out of muddy trails. When family members, because there’s always at least one in every crowd, begin to irritate remember that we were instructed not to cause conflict but to shine our light and let men see our deeds and glorify God in Heaven. Lord help you if you’re going to brave Black Friday sales, but when the shopping experience becomes overwhelming take time to thank the Lord for the means to buy gifts and for the people in your life that bring you such joy as to merit gifts of love.


There’s always a viewpoint that will keep you from blowing your testimony and preserving your spirituality. There are always opportunities to let your light shine. There are always dessert places, even in the midst of chaos. The circumstances will be similar for everyone, but few will be able to find leisure in the holidays. Those few are the ones which understand the true reason for the holidays and choose to dwell on those thoughts. We have a reason to be thankful because of God’s grace. It’s by His grace and mercy that we have the means to celebrate. It’s by His mercy that we are able to celebrate the richness of His goodness in peace and safety in a nation where we can freely worship Him.


Your fellowservant in Christ,

Bro. Jordan Foster

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