³¹ 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 NKJV)

I am sure I have noted before, I am not good at taking time away. I may take a day here and there, but concerted time away can be a difficult ask. It’s not like I think I am indispensable, for I am surely not. But my work ethic and my view of my responsibilities keeps me focused on work. I believe also that it is just how I am wired.

Jesus knew the value of getting time away. He knew that He needed it and He knew the disciples need it. He was not shirking His divine duties, He was renewing and refilling His batteries. And those batteries get low in all of us!

Time away needs to have elements of rest, reflection and activity. It is not that Jesus just went away and did nothing, I suspect. He was actively recharging His batteries. I realize that I get so caught up in the world around me that I can think of little else. With work responsibilities and many family worries I just get so very caught up in just living day to day. I am not in survival mode, but I am not thriving either.

Reflect on: Just how you spend your time away. Are you giving ourself time to rest, reflect and recharge. Taking that time to also get closer to God.