To rest is not a waste of time: maybe this is the greatest challenge of all

In his day, Jesus’ teaching was met with a variety of responses. Whilst his description of this incredible new kingdom, where God’s way of doing things was restored, inspired many to follow him and find out more, others walked away. They couldn’t cope with what he was asking of them. They found his teaching too hard. They chose to continue with life as it was. And some were angry that Jesus was challenging their lifestyle and all that they had built their lives on to this point. Who was he to tell them what to do? This man needed to be silenced before he did any more damage.

Luke 4 sets out a variety of responses to Jesus and his teaching. He is rejected in his home town of Nazareth

“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown”….

All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff.. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.  Luke 4:24, 28-30

In Capernaum, the people are ‘amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority’ (v32). The news spreads about all the amazing things that he’s doing. Jesus is inundated with requests for healing.

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place.  Luke 4:42

There is so much need, so much to do, so little time…and yet Jesus takes a break. He goes off on his own. He needs to rest, to recuperate. Even Jesus has to take a break.

Sometimes we find it hard to take time out for ourselves, don’t we? We see so many needs that have to be met, so much change that has to be brought about. We exhaust ourselves by feeling we have to be available to everyone all of the time. We feel guilty for even thinking about taking a break, let alone actually doing it. When we rest, we’re not really resting, because we’re thinking about all of the things we should be doing.

And yet rest is a necessary part of life. Switching off is essential for our physical, mental and emotional health.

This is Jesus’ invitation to each one of us.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

These words always make me feel like crying. I always feel like crying when someone is kind to me and these words are full of kindness and compassion. I haven’t had a mum to care for me for the past 25 years, someone who looks out for me and invites me to rest when I seem tired and overwrought. I’ve had to learn about self-care and I learnt it the hard way when things got too much and I ran out of energy to keep going and I couldn’t carry on any more.

I find these words incongruous with the rest of Jesus’ teaching, which all feels like a huge challenge and responsibility. We’re called to be a light in the world, good role models to those around us, to choose the right path whatever the cost, to love our enemies, to serve others, to care for all those in society who need our care….It’s exhausting just writing it!

In that context, time out for myself feels a waste of time, an indulgence.

It doesn’t feel like Jesus’ yoke is easy or his burden light.

And yet these words of Jesus have a gentle touch. He’s inviting us to find rest for our souls.

How? My soul is crying out for a bit of that rest!

Come to me.

That’s it. Come to me.

Spend time in Jesus’ presence. Alone.

Withdraw to a solitary place. Just as Jesus did.

Time alone is seriously under-rated. Time alone without any purpose in the presence of Jesus restores the soul.

Some would call this prayer. Some would call it meditation. Some would call it mindfulness. Some would call it switching off.

Whatever you call it and wherever and however you do it, just do it.

Because spending time alone with the divine is what transforms us from the inside out. It equips us to live the life we’re being called to live, not in our own strength and energy, but with a divine energy that wells up from within. That’s when what Jesus is asking us to do seems less of a burden and more of a natural outworking of the transformation that’s going on inside us.

Self care is not selfish. For how can we care for others if we don’t care for ourselves? How will we have anything to give? How can we show love others if we don’t show love to ourselves? We need to care for ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, to equip us to care for those around us. And rest is a crucial part of that self-care package.

To rest is not a waste of time: maybe this is the greatest challenge of all.