📖 Thankful Thursday — Rest a While

Sometimes you're tired because you've made poor choices.

But sometimes...

you're tired because you've been faithfully doing a lot of good things.

In Mark 6, the disciples returned to Jesus after He had sent them out to minister. They had been serving, helping people, and doing exactly what Jesus had called them to do.

And in verse 31, Jesus looked at these tired disciples and said:

“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.”

Jesus noticed their weariness.

And I'm thankful for what that shows us about His heart:

💭 Today's Truth

Jesus doesn't confuse our limitations with unfaithfulness.

Maybe you're tired today too.

Maybe it's work.

Family.

School.

Caring for someone you love.

Serving others.

Or maybe life has simply required a lot from you lately.

Here's something I'm having to learn myself:

Rest isn't the opposite of faithfulness. Sometimes rest is part of faithfulness.

And sometimes following Jesus even means saying no to good things.

Every need doesn't automatically become my assignment.

Every opportunity doesn't require my yes.

Sometimes Jesus says, “Go.”

Sometimes He says, “Serve.”

And sometimes He says:

“Come away...and rest a while.”

Jesus gives us another beautiful invitation in Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Notice where true rest leads:

“Come to ME.”

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for knowing my limitations and noticing when I am weary. Give me wisdom to know what You are asking me to carry and what I need to release. Help me say yes faithfully when You call me to serve and give me the courage to say no—even to good things—when they are not my assignment. Teach me to rest without guilt and to remember that true rest is found by drawing near to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you're tired today, maybe the question isn't, “How can I keep doing everything?”

Maybe it's simply:

“Jesus, what would ‘rest a while’ look like for me today?”

You don't have to hide your weariness from Him.

Come to Him.

Rest a while.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.