Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matthew 14:34-36 (The Message) On return, the (disciples) beached the boat at Gennesaret. When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick, who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed.
Life goes on. One day Jesus is healing the sick and teaching 5,000 out in the countryside. When they were hungry, he fed everyone with two fish and five loaves of bread. Then he sent the disciples away on a boat ride so he could be alone and pray. When the disciples saw him body surfing in the middle of a storm, Peter jumped out of the boat to chase after him but sank after he took his eyes off Jesus. The next day, the people saw Jesus in their neighborhood. Back to work. He healed whoever touched him.
The Bible talks about rest periods for the weary, but Jesus rarely took a day off during his 3-year ministry. When Jesus needed restoration, he would go away by himself and pray half the night and be ready to go the next day. We may be tired and in need of rest, but that doesn’t mean Jesus is tired and in need of a day off. We may get through a really busy time serving the Lord and think we need time off, but God may have a plan for us the very next day. We must be ready.
I’ve heard it both ways about rest when we are busy serving the Lord. Some of the most invigorating times I’ve had in my adult life were after serving God in a big way. On the flip side, some of the most draining times were spent serving God. If we are uncertain as to whether to rest or serve again, we must ask God for wisdom and guidance. Our prayer life is the key in such times. If we’re tired from serving too much, we are doing it for ourselves. If we are in constant prayer, God has a way of giving us the strength we need in trying times.
God doesn’t look at our lives the way we do. We may look at life as working M-F with weekends off, but kingdom servants don’t have regular days off. But God does tell us to take a Sabbath day every week, which is meant for rest and worshipping him. We may be busy serving the sick on Sundays that takes half our days. Then it’s back to the grind in the office on Monday. Or we may plan a Saturday at the beach, but we find ourselves ministering to someone God put before us in the parking lot. There is no rhyme or reason when it comes to working for God. Be prepared to serve whenever he calls you, no matter what day it is.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to be ready to serve when you call me. Help me to get my daily rest so that I will have the energy I need whenever you call on me. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 99
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51
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