And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”

Mark 6:31 ESV 

My personality is split down the middle according to some test I took in college that determined where I derive my energy, whether from others or from myself.

I love people. I enjoy attending social gatherings, seeing long lost relatives at family reunions, talking to strangers in the doctor’s office. I could have been a greeter at Wal-Mart.

Too much people time, however, leads to a scene plucked from Looney Tunes: I’m the Tazmanian Devil, a whirling dervish searching for a little peace and quiet among the frenetic pace of life. Starting the day becomes hard, for I know that even when I find solace in the privacy of the bathroom I will hear people outside the door: “She was just here, I don’t know where she went, maybe she’s down the hall.”

I might stay put just a little bit longer . . .

Jesus understands the pressure of the masses, for he was followed by crowds throughout his ministry. He cautioned people not to reveal His true identity; He even forbade the demons to speak because they knew who He was (Mark 1:34). 

Why was Jesus concerned with concealing His true self, especially early in His ministry? The timing of all the events that unfolded during His ministry was essential. But part of it also comes down to Jesus’s own deeply human need for peace and quiet and His desire to minister one-on-one to individuals who desperately needed rest for their souls.

He sought out solitude, for Himself and for the disciples, simply to rest. If Jesus needed a break, who are we to think we can keep our noses to the grindstone without getting worn down ourselves?

May we follow our Lord’s command, and take a timeout from the hectic pace of life. A daily time of solitude, for prayer and Bible reading and reflection, is one way to start. 

But when my rushed and busy soul longs for a greater time away, I will search out a “desolate” place, far from the distractions of this frenzied world.

I won’t be alone.

There will always be another Person there.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the rest and peace found in your presence.