Recharging

Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” . . . So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.

Mark 6:31-32

Jesus sent his disciples out to tell people about God. He also gave them power to cast out evil spirits and heal the sick. The disciples traveled around doing what Jesus had asked them to do. When they returned from their ministry journey, the disciples shared with Jesus what they had done. But while they were trying to talk with Jesus, people were still coming to him, wanting to hear him and to be healed. So many people kept coming that Jesus and the disciples didn’t even have time to stop and eat, much less rest. So Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”

The disciples had been doing good things that Jesus had asked them to do. But after their ministry journey, the 12 men were weary from the work of sharing the Good News and healing people.

You probably have things in your house that need to be charged, such as a cell phone, an MP3 player, a laptop, or a battery-operated toy or game. When the battery is low or runs down, the device or toy no longer works. You can’t make a call with the phone, you can’t listen to music on the MP3 player, and you can’t play with the toy or game. It needs to be plugged in and recharged.

That’s how the disciples were after their ministry trip. They were run down and needed to recharge. Their minds and bodies needed rest. Spending time away with Jesus would help them do this.

As you’re doing good each day and sharing the gospel message with others, it’s important for you to take time to recharge too.

God wants you to tell others about him and to help others, but if you’re constantly giving to people and not taking time to fill yourself with God’s Word or to spend time with other Christians, you may find yourself drained spiritually.

Find time to read the Bible and pray. Read books about living for Christ, praying, or knowing more about God. Listen in church, and look for ways the message applies to you.

When you take time to recharge, you will have more energy and excitement later to get back to work for God.

Take a look at how much time you spend giving of yourself to others and doing things for God. Are you taking time to recharge? How? If not, what things can you do this week to recharge your spiritual batteries?