And He (Jesus) said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”  – Mark 6:31 (NKJ)

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. – Psalms 62:1 (NIV).

Rest. . .quiet. . .silence. . .away. . .salvation. These words are rarely used in today’s hustle and bustle world.  As a matter of fact it’s quite the opposite.  We load ourselves down with stuff to do only to complain that we have to no time – time to rest, time for family, time for fun, or time to spend with God.  We even hurry to wait.  Our lives overflow with rush.  It’s difficult for us to fathom slowing down. . . to have moments of quiet. . .of stillness.  We always seem to have another meeting to attend, another game to go to, another appointment to fulfill.  I could go on, but I don’t have to, you know what I’m talking about.

I think it’s difficult for me because when I am still for a moment I feel guilty.  The thought usually occurs to me, “shouldn’t I be doing something?”  Why do I feel like that?  Is it because I’ve bought into and adopted the art of hurry?  Is it due to the fact that for some strange reason, as a man, I have come to believe that if I’m not hurried I’m not being productive?  Is it because I’m so wound up I don’t think I can relax?  Is being busy the same as hurried?  I wonder.

Ortberg states that business and hurriedness are not the same.  He points to Jesus who was often busy, but never hurried.  As I think back on Jesus’ ministry he never ran anywhere, and yet He was never late to anything.  He took time to be with people.  He partied with folks.  He hung out with the apostles.  He enjoyed life!  He was busy healing, teaching, and helping, but He never was rushed.

Why is this so critical to our lives?  Men, it’s important because we become so hurried and rushed in our everyday lives that we become distracted.  We stop making time to sit with God.  When we do we want the “fast food” version of it, “Just give me what I need so I can get on with life.”  That’s not what God had in mind.  Even Jesus recognized the need to get away to a deserted place for times of refreshing and victory and redemption and hanging with the Father.

Men, I want to encourage you to look at your schedules.  Are they filled with stuff?  Is there a place or time on your calendar where you and God just get away in silence, away from the demands of life, the appointments, and the projects so you can find rest in Him?  If not, make time.  Ask God to show you where and how to make time.  Schedule a morning or an evening after the kids have gone to bed to read God’s Word and to listen for that small still voice.  Invite Him to restore and refresh you.  Take your worries and cares of the day to Him so He can help you and take that load off of you.

To make this happen takes boldness.  Do you have the boldness to say no to hurry and yes to God?

Need some rest, silence, peace, and quiet?  Only you can make that happen.

Needing to slow down myself,

Mike