I need some time away. I’m tired. Oh, physically, I am fine. I am getting more than 10,000 steps in almost every day, eating right, diabetes under control. A few little aches and pains, but nothing major for a 70-year-old.
Still I am a bit worn emotionally, mentally and maybe even spiritually. I’ve been going strong and recently realized I need to step back and re-charge a bit. I haven’t taken time away from the pulpit since last year, except for the day the snow storm caused us to cancel Sunday service in January.
Whenever I get like this I am reminded of Jesus’ invitation to His disciples following their missionary adventure when Jesus sent them out two-by-two in Mark 6. When they returned, they filled Him in on everything that happened. Surrounded once again by the crowds that followed Jesus, without even time to eat, Jesus must have sensed that they needed a little “down” time. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” [Mark 6:31 NIV]
We have rechargeable 9-volt batteries at the church that I set in the charger station after each service so that they are strong and ready to use in our microphones at the next one. If I fail to do that, the batteries will run dry and our microphones will quit. Without those microphones, it is much harder to “get the Word out.”
Often when things are moving in the Spirit, strong, on-fire, we can forget that to keep it that way we also must “take-in” a charge from the Lord. If we don’t we will have nothing left to “give-out.”
Father, I need to rest. I need to come away to the quiet place. I need to re-charge. I pray for opportunity to do so. Amen.
