Rest for the Weary

I wish I could write some wonderful, deep post tonight. There are a million amazing nuggets of beautiful truth in this week's scripture readings. But, it's late and I'm tired. Tired and weary. I am feeling under the weather again/still. It's after 11:30p.m. and I've just returned from visiting my grandfather at the hospital. He is very sick, and the doctors can't seem to find out exactly what the problem is or how to "fix" it. I understand this. Doctors are only human, and do the best they can. I've been praying instead to the God who made our bodies, to the Great Physician who can grant wisdom to doctors and can heal with His own touch. I'm praying not only for Grandpa's body, but his spirit...that He would find comfort, hope, and rest in the One who can heal the body and the soul.

Rest for the weary...sounds good to me.

I could write on so many of this week's verses. Jesus calms the storm...Jesus walks on water...Peter sinks when he takes his eyes off Jesus....Parable of the soils (good stuff)...the woman reaching out to touch His garment amidst the crowd of those in need of healing. The power of His healing touch. The amount of times He says, "Do not be afraid."

Instead...I am tired...And rest is on my mind.

And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. ~ Mark 6:30-32

Jesus saw the importance of rest...even in serving others. There were many coming and going...multitudes in need. So many that the disciples didn't even have time to eat. Have you felt that way? I have.

Yes...I know what happens next. The multitudes follow them. Jesus is moved with compassion and teaches them. Then He performs the miracle of feeding the five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish! You're probably thinking, "That doesn't sound like rest to me."

The important thing I want to share is that Jesus placed a value on resting. God rested on the seventh day, after He created the world. The Bible often talks about rest...that we should set aside time to rest...that He will provide rest for our weary souls. (I am too tired to look up the verses...but they exist.)And, in chapter 6, we find that He did, finally, rest when the work was finished...when the needs were met. When the multitudes were sent away, He went to the mountain to pray. (see 6:46)

That is what my prayer is tonight...for myself...and for my Grandpa. Rest for our weary bodies...peace for our troubled hearts... and blessed assurance of an eternal future with our Savior. (And, I also ask for complete healing in His time and through whatever means He chooses).

Tonight, I reach out and touch His garment, seeking His assurance, His healing, His rest...seeking Him.