Have you ever felt like you just needed to get away for a little while? Have felt like you needed a break from the hustle and bustle of life? Has your job been very busy, causing you to feel frazzled and worn out? Were you able to find solace somewhere or were you bothered via your electronic leash?
There are times when we really need a break. We have been going at breakneck speed for a lengthy period of time and need some downtime. We may plan a week away in a quiet place. Yet, through our cell phones, people continue to reach out to us asking for guidance.
Today’s world is fast paced. We are continually connected. It wasn’t that long ago that companies would issue a cell phone to someone if they were required to be available. Today, we all use our personal cell phones. It has even become rare for a company to pay a stipend to offset the cost of our personal phone for using it to conduct business. It has become expected that we use our personal cell phones and depending on our profession, we are available virtually all the time.
Once Jesus had performed a few miracles, especially healing those who were sick or battling a disease, He was sought after nearly all the time. He, too, needed to get away from the constant demands of people. Sometimes, He would go up on a mountain to spend time with the Father. In today’s passage, He traveled to a place several miles from Galilee. Tyre was northwest of Galilee along the Mediterranean Sea. Jesus did not go into the city but went near it. However, people discovered He was there and ran out to see Him.
Most of us can sympathize with Jesus’ predicament. On the one hand, He cared deeply for people and wanted to help them. On the other hand, He needed some time of renewal and rejuvenation. Our own renewal is key to our own mental and spiritual health. We, too, need to seek a place of solace to renew ourselves and our commitment to God.
I pray we all set aside time to be renewed. I pray we find a quiet place to allow God to rejuvenate us. I pray each one of us will follow Jesus’ example of renewing our commitment to God. Seek renewal. Spend time with God. Be rejuvenated. Turn off you phone. We all need time away from the busyness of life.
Mark 7:24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.
Marty Pressey 