Rest Servants Rest

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:30-34

The disciples were sent and came back from their missions. Jesus instructed His men to take rest, to come to a peaceful place. As a result of the disciples' work, multitudes of people are coming wanting more. In here, Jesus saw the need to shepherd God's people, His people. So, Jesus took the work were His disciples left off. Jesus continued the labor done or being done in peoples' lives. Jesus carried on the task of bringing the people in God's fold.

One of our brothers, whom I served with, used to exclaim "Salamat, meyari na ing kasakitan!" ("Thanks, the difficulty has ended!") The brother would state this words after each retreat, maybe a seminar or any event which required more of our skills and dependence in God. The whole service group would always laugh about it, but its true. There is an end of what we can do for God. We stop at one point, and this is where God continues. After a hard fought service, it is good we rest after that for God to take the cudgels.

At the end your talk about God's love, God's love continues your message. At the end of your service at the retreat, God's is forwarding His grace to His people. At the end of your preaching in a conference, God is conferencing with the hearts of those who heard you. At the end of your discussion group, God keeps on elaborating His words. At the end of your task as an administrator, God maintains His ministry to put peoples' lives in order. After people read your gospel blog, God works to embed His message.

When our work ends, God's work carries on. When our mission is completed, God's operation continues. When our task is finished, God's grace takes over. Aren't we glad we rest, so Jesus can shepherd His people? Rest after your mission. Rest after your service. Rest after your preaching. Allow God to bless your work and continue to do the work. As we rest, God takes care of the rest of His work.

Rest servants of God rest!