Respite. Don’t worry. Escape. Vacation. What does a retreat mean to you? I have found that breaking the routine rejuvenates relationships, as well as recovery.

Do you remember that day when Jesus fed the five thousand? Mark 6:31-32 says that Jesus and his disciples had been so busy that they had not even had time to eat. Actually, they were on their way to find some solitude when they were pushed into the middle of the crowd. But compassion overcame comfort and they served the spiritual and physical needs of those who had come to see Jesus. The Lord did a miracle that day; it is interesting that his provision came from the very thing that they lacked. In their hunger, they served food to those who came.

Do you feel exhausted? Maybe you have nothing more to give? Because of your weakness, Jesus wants to nurture another. Take this time to write in a journal. Spill out those pent up feelings where you can see them objectively. Ask the Lord to show you where he would like you to change your mind about service. Write down the things He engraves on your heart, and then look up verses in your Bible concordance to support those thoughts. He shares what you are learning with another person. When we keep those ideas to ourselves, we are hiding God’s light under a bushel basket!

Remember that day we talked about earlier? Mark 6:45 says that after the disciples had collected the leftovers, Jesus immediately made them get into the boat and set sail. He knew how hard they had worked. He knew how tired they were. And Jesus took care of them by taking them out of their work.

Are you tired? Is it time to remember that Jesus wants to take care of you? Do your part by scheduling a getaway today. Take your Bible and read about Jesus’ busy day in Mark 6. Find out what Jesus did after sending the disciples to Bethsaida in Mark 6:46!