Rested and Recognized

Daily Reading:  Mark 6

“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”... And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him. (Mark 6.31, 54)

Devotional Thought: I love to hear violin music.  I marvel at the beautiful sound that can come from just four strings. But, one thing I've noticed: those four strings have to be in tension.  Life is like that.  Beautiful music comes in the tension.  In Mark 6 we see one such tension: that between rest and recognition.

Rest.  Jesus invited his disciples to get away with him to get some rest.  This invitation came right after they had returned from a strenuous preaching mission.  In addition, many of them were emotionally spent, having been close friends with John the Baptist who had just been martyred.  Jesus just wanted to spend some quiet time with them.  In the same way, he invites you and me to be renewed with him.  He knows what you face each day and how it drains you.  Take advantage of his invitation to get alone with him - daily!  You will find rest for your souls!

Recognition.  "They" got out of the boat, but the people recognized "him."  We can't rest in a desolate place forever! And when we come out of our time with Jesus, he is on display in us.  Our testimony is wonderful in church, and encourages our fellow believers, but people don’t pay much attention to what we believe about Jesus as long as we keep him tucked away safely in church.  Our faith must be lived outside the boat, in the world, around unspiritual people.  The world needs to see and hear a real witness for Christ’s hope and peace. 

Embrace the tension and make some beautiful music.  Spend time with Jesus, then get out of the boat so people can recognize Jesus in you!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the invitation to spend time with you - daily in personal prayer and weekly in corporate worship.  As I am rested and renewed, help me then to go forth so that people might see you in me.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 5.1-6

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.

2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.

5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.

6 You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.