Pioneer Christian Monthly - July, 1977

Relaxation and Renewal
Rev. John Moerman

And Jesus said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. (Mark 6: 31 R.S.V.)

Jesus spoke these words after his disciples came back from their first tour of witness. They had just given Jesus a glowing report on their first preaching mission and miracle working. It had been an exciting time of witness for their Master.

Something else, the mission assignment was hard work. And what a time of testing it was! They experienced how some people accepted the word with gladness of heart, while others rejected their message. In all, it was strenuous labour indeed.

They were young and inexperienced. How they had relied on the Lord for their strength! They learned what total dependence upon God was, and also what dedication of their every talent involved. Prophetic preaching can drain even young men of their vigor and strength.

Jesus and his disciples had been busy people before, and even now every evidence pointed toward deeper involvement and greater labors. In Capernaum there was so much turmoil of people coming and going that it became almost impossible to eat a quiet meal. Consequently, essential time for fruitful conversation and meaningful fellowship with one another was also being crowded out. Learning time and prayer fellowship was at a premium.

All this made Jesus decide that a "retreat" to a solitary place would be a blessing to them. The time had come to rest a while. According to the account in Mark this may only have been on the lake in the boat. John reports (6: 3-5) that they did manage to have a bit of a "retreat" on the Mountainside.

How much have your labors for Jesus taken out of you since your last vacation? Was the witness for Christ harder on you than you had expected?

Yes, I understand. This enters in it too that now you are past 50. You further report that to be daily in the business of the -Lord and providing leadership to a congregation is strenuous work? Some people accept the word of the Lord you seek to bring, while others reject it? My friend, Jesus knows. He has gone through it Himself.

I talked last week with a talented and dedicated servant of the Lord who said that after his Sunday labors he is drained and exhausted. Something to this effect I have heard other messengers of the Lord say too. This confirms that to be an ambassador for Christ, or witness for the Lord in some other way, is far from being a picnic. Sharing Christ requires total commitment and involvement. Prophetic preaching and apostolic witness can tire out even those who are of the age the disciples were!

The disciples of Jesus were all young men! Yet, Jesus deemed it necessary for their well being and further service in his Kingdom to take some time off. I wonder whether our Savior was thinking of Isa. 40: 30-31. Take time to read these words.

This is vacation time. In my imagination I can hear God say, "Some extra time out for rest and prayer, relax and do some extra reading in my work. It will do you much good. Enjoy yourselves in a fresh and new way. Find some solitary place and rest a while."

Yes, re-charging the battery can be very beneficial. When the battery runs low, we better take caution. Recharging brings back the full power to start the motor. Is it not so that very much like this, things stand also on the human side?

Now, I believe it is immaterial whether the emphasis during our vacation is on swimming and fishing, traveling and reading, golfing and gardening, camping and canoeing, hiking and climbing, visiting the holy land or the old country, or whatever else we do during this time; as long as the exercise and experience is both relaxing and upbuilding, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Sometimes we say that "a change is as good as a rest". Just to be away from the pressure of "the program" and have no "deadlines" to meet for a while is almost bliss, certainly blessing. The purpose of vacation is twofold: relaxation and renewal.

May-be you have read the story of the executive who left the office of the psychiatrist. On the parking lot he met one of his colleagues who asked him, "Are you coming or going?" "My friend" he replied, "If I knew I would not be here."

Well, Mark mentions about "coming and going" too. So much so that Jesus and his disciples had no leisure even to eat. How contemporary this reads! Sometimes we are like the executive. Maybe we have been so busy in the service of the Lord that our own spiritual life is suffering. Obviously, this has to change.

We live in a program conscious community even a program oriented society. We have set our goals and we strenuously strive to reach these goals. We live by efficiency. Moreover, who can ignore competition? "Success" has become life's watchword and measuring stick. I often wonder whether Jesus and his disciples would have been judged to be "successful" had they lived and labored in our day and age.

How often is our mealtime interrupted by the ringing of the telephone or doorbell, and with it our family Bible reading and prayer? And how often have church leaders been heard to say, "Can we hurry up so I can get my agenda for the evening meeting ready?" Instead of this rushing would it not be far wiser to take the time to talk with our family about the experiences of the day? What an opportunity to help one another in the work of the following day. Also, what an opportunity to make the family prayers more meaningful. I rejoice in the fact that vacation time offers such opportunities of blessings for days in succession.

Yes, I can well see why Jesus instructed his young and inexperienced disciples to go with him to a lonely place and there rest a while. They needed it very much.

We need vacation time too. There can even be occasions when it is wise not to wait for the annual vacation. Ask physicians, politicians, and executives. The only way for them to carry on their heavy responsibilities is to take a week or so off at regular intervals. They are practicing this with excellent results.

As for those who are leaders in the church, Jesus knows that to attend to the needs of others is Christian service, indeed. Well, besides this, Jesus says, so is caring for your own self and your family. Jesus does not.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.