No Time for Lunch

March 9, 2020

Scripture

After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake…. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. …. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. …. he spoke to them …., “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed …   (Mark6: 46-51 NIV)

No Time for Lunch

It doesn’t show in my waistline but there are lots of afternoons I’ll suddenly notice I have forgotten to eat lunch. Now that isn’t a big deal if I’ve just been focussed on a simple, enjoyable task. And I probably wasn’t even hungry anyway.

On other occasions we don’t take care of our physical, emotional and spiritual health and our relationships because we are so driven to work hard, achieve goals or whatever is our passion. It seems to me that there is no simple solution to this even though I offered and received bucket loads of balanced life advice and meditation nostrums.

Jesus himself failed in this area on a particular occasion. He and the disciples were so overwhelmed with meeting the needs around them they had no time to eat. Like many of us he suggests getting away from the crowds for some quiet – but before the quiet happens, the crowds found them, and the show went on.

Jesus sent them away in a boat while he went to pray, and they are rowing against a headwind in the dark. Jesus watched his friends straining at the oars into the wind and he eventually moved in their direction.

I imagine that when the wind stopped there was a silence on the water, maybe the oar locks were creaking. A break from the frenetic activity and headwinds of their lives. And that was the best even Jesus could do for them

But they were with him and grateful for rest, quiet, and respite from the headwinds of life. Sometimes that’s us, but we feel guilty about it. Perhaps we might just accept that life doesn’t work like it might in a monastery and we catch moments to be grateful and rest.

A Prayer for Today

Loving God, who has given us work and purpose in our lives, help us to find the moments we need to make sure our rowing is heading toward True North. Ease our guilt when it is messy and we can only catch our breath in brief snatches. But help us find those longer moments to really rest and renew..…. For Jesus’ sake