Come Away and Rest a While…

As Denise and I walked up the pathway towards the chapel at Highlands Camp and Retreat Center found in the Presbytery of Peaks and Plains, we were overcome by the beauty of the place. Situated near Allenspark, Colorado this beautiful camp, nestled in the Rocky Mountains can easily take your breath away. Yes, in part because we had traveled from the Panhandle of Florida where the altitude was 260 feet above sea level to 8,500 feet above sea level! But more than that, we were captured by the beauty of the camp nestled in the mountains. What a wonderful place to go for a retreat or conference. What a wonderful place to escape the hustle and bustle of the world and the rat-race. Like the Episcopal Church’s Beckwith Camp and Conference Center in Fairhope, Alabama (pictured below), you find yourself somehow closer to God in such a thin place.

Retreat… Sabbath rest… Be still and know… This is what Jesus was calling the disciples to do in the Gospel reading for this coming Sunday. They had returned from their first mission trip (being sent out two-by-two) and were full of stories and likely exhausted. Jesus knew that the disciples needed time to decompress and possibly detox if they had been to places where they had to kick the dust off of their feet and leave the places that did not welcome them. They needed to rest and renew their spirits before they continued on in ministry with Jesus. Jesus himself knew the importance of taking time to be alone and be with God. He knew the necessity of retreating from the sometimes toxic environment to refresh and renew his spirit.

Sadly, as the sixth chapter of Mark reveals, that rest wasn’t to be. The chunk of the chapter that is left out of the lectionary passage contains among other things, the feeding of the five-thousand. Yet even with that portion left out, we see how Jesus and the disciples were constantly inundated by the crowds and their need for healing and attention Jesus even had compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. (Mark 6:34)

In the end, Jesus and the disciples did not get the time away that they needed because the needs of the people were great. As a pastor and chaplain, I can’t tell you how many Sabbath rests of my own have been cut short because of a hospital emergency or a death in the community. I know how draining it can be when your job isn’t a 40-hour-a-week or Monday through Friday, 9-5 sort of occupation. I also know that despite the odd hours and intense demands that Jesus does call me to Sabbath rest and does provide such time for renewal.

Jesus does call us to come away and rest a while. For this Padre, it is key and essential to my own physical and spiritual well-being. For any Christ-followers or disciples it is mission essential to make time for such renewal. Perhaps it is the forty minutes or so when you first arise in the morning and spend time in prayer and Scripture reflection. Perhaps it is that time in the middle of the day when you pause and quiet your spirit and simply be still and know. Perhaps it is that time at the end of the day when you reflect on the day that is past and how you have seen or experienced God’s working or calling in your life and activities.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says the following to his disciples and to us: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He knew the disciples were carrying a heavy load… and he knew that the task would never completely let up… the mission would never be finished. He knew this because he too carried a similar burden. However, he was willing to help them shoulder that burden, walk along side of them, and give them the rest and refreshment that their soul craved.

Jesus calls this Padre and you, dear reader… he calls us to come away and rest a while. He calls us to learn from him… to grow in him… to allow him to help shoulder the burdens we are carrying… and his promise is true. We will find rest for our souls! Find that thin place… find that little sanctuary within where you can be still and know… allow Him to nurture, heal, and make you whole. Allow him to tend to your soul. Come, find rest for your soul…