I wonder what Jesus had in mind for them when He wanted them to rest. Perhaps a picnic in the sun, with a breeze to refresh them. Maybe a quick round of the game “Never have I ever…”

Are you surprised to think about the disciples resting? Or about Jesus inviting them to rest at this moment? There was still so much work to do. Swarms of people kept coming to them to be healed, to be touched, to be consoled. Surely, they should press on and keep working. The human body can survive without food for a time, right? 

And yet, Jesus intentionally pulls them away with an invitation to rest with Him. 

Do you believe God cares for YOU as much as those he sent you to love and serve? 

Our work matters to God. The relationships we build and the lives we impact matter to God. And my dear sister, so do you. Your physical health, your mental health, your spiritual health and your emotional health all matter to God. He doesn’t need to wear you out to get His work done.  

When the days are full and the work is heavy, when we know there are more ways we could pour ourselves out for a broken world, He invites us to come away and rest. That rest might be a nap, or it might be a cup of tea and a good book. Rest might be a walk around a park or a phone call with a dear friend who encourages you. 

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2  

Do you believe that God cares for you outside of what you do for Him? 

There is so much work to do in overseas ministry. There are always more people we could meet or invest in, more ways to give our time and energy, more darkness to push back. And sometimes we might forget that the Lord doesn’t love us because of our productivity. He loves us because He made us and we are His. 

Rest, sister, and trust in His care for you. His goodness is for you, too.