“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”
Mark 6:30–32, NIV
“Drop your baggage here!” was my husband’s mantra whenever we approached the span bridge crossing the inland waterway. He knew carrying the weight of the week’s worry to our place of rest would not only hamper our time away but hinder the enjoyment of those vacationing with us.
The disciples were happy to be in the company of Jesus. However, because they were busy meeting the needs of the people, they had no time to rest. They were exhausted and hungry.
Jesus understood the wearying effects of service and invited them to come away with him to a quiet place. They welcomed his invitation. We should too. But first, there are some things we need to consider.
Before the disciples stepped into the boat and pushed away from the shore, they gathered around Jesus and shared the events of their days on the road. Together they celebrated their successes and prayed concerning their challenges. Is Jesus the one with whom we share the circumstances of our day? Do we take our challenges to him or simply dump the day’s contents on the first unsuspecting person who comes through the door?
Scripture invites us to cast our cares on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7). Is there baggage we need to throw overboard before we leave for our places of rest this summer?
Perhaps, too many things fill our schedule―some may even be self-inflicted. Are there commitments we should have said no to and didn’t? Maybe tangible things load down our boats. Our material blessings can become burdens when we fail to use them as God intends. Or possibly our weight is intangible. Sometimes we carry emotional baggage inflicted by people or events beyond our control. Let’s examine the contents of our boats. An overloaded boat runs the risk of capsizing.
We can assure that our boats stay afloat by placing our baggage at the feet of Jesus and prayerfully considering each piece. He will show us the things we need for our journey and those we should leave behind.
Make a list of the things you believe add to your boat’s instability. Then ask, “Is this a piece I need to throw overboard, something only God can eliminate, or something I need to hold on to?”
Before you travel to your place of rest this summer, toss the excess baggage. Then evenly distribute the remaining pieces and make room for God’s presence.
Cast off and enjoy your time of rest.
Your traveling companion,
Starr
Photo Credit: Public Domain
Our ship left Prince Edward Island and sailed up the Gulf of St. Lawrence toward Quebec City. The waters had been relatively calm, considering we’d left Boston on the heels of Hurricane Earl. The night’s forecast: a strong gale and rain. We hadn’t interpreted “strong gale” to mean seventy mph winds and fifty-foot waves that would rock us sleepless. Perhaps that night, I experienced some of the same emotions the disciples did in their storm.
Over a year ago, I enrolled in an online iPhone photography course. Besides receiving instruction from experienced iPhone photographers on how to capture and edit remarkable photos, students are invited to join a Facebook community of their peers and participate in constructive critiques.