Rest For Awhile

“And He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while.’ (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)”  (Mark 6:31)

One of the reasons I love to be adventuring in God’s wondrous creation is because it is very calming. There are no deadlines to meet, no demands to fulfill, no text messages waiting for a response, and no schedules to adhere to. In nature, I can simply “be”. But, oftentimes, life can be so full that we forget that Jesus calls us to rest in Him… to walk with Him and find peace in His presence.  

Life can be so full that we forget that Jesus calls us to rest in Him.

For the past few weeks, I have been feeling unusually stressed – sleepless, anxious, and unsettled. We recently moved from our tranquil coastal Georgia campground to one in central Florida. I’m having a hard time adjusting to being back at this park. On the island, things were so calm. Even when it was chaotic, it was still “calm chaos” because all I had to do was sneak off to my hidden little beach area for an hour or so…pray…read and I was back on track.

There is such a difference in my spirit that is evident between here and there. It isn’t the location necessarily except that there I had easy access to my retreat. Here… I haven’t yet found that place where I can steal away to be with the Lord without distraction. And to be honest, I’ve been making excuses, convincing myself it’s just too difficult to find peace in this new place. 

But then I am reminded that “Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” (Luke 5:16) If Jesus took time to break away, it is certainly imperative that I should do the same. This is exactly what my soul is craving: quiet time with the Lord.  

Finding a quiet spot here may be more challenging, but it’s certainly not impossible, and, because this wonderful creation God has given us is so calming, I set out to find my hideaway here. As I look around, I notice that I am surrounded by the beauty of trees, flowers, and open skies. I am once again reminded of the sovereignty of God and that He is calling me to come away with Him to a quiet place and get some rest.  

He is calling me to come away with Him to a quiet place and get some rest.  

If you’re feeling overwhelmed too, I encourage you to take a moment today to pause and reconnect with God. Step outside and gaze at all that He has created. Be reminded of His presence and His peace.

Think About It

How is "resting in the Lord" different from just taking a break from our normal way of life?

How can you find your own "retreat" even when it's challenging?

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*This blog post is dedicated to one of my dearest friends who never fails to keep me focused on the Lord.

In this blog, I hope you'll join me on my quiet adventures—simple walks and conversations with God, away from the hustle and bustle.

In the meantime, don't forget to check out Liz Trickey's blog, "God of My Depths," and Pearlene Richardson's blog, "Measurable Growth," for more insight into how nature reveals God's character in and to us.