Mark 6:30-31
This past week I spent time in Dallas visiting my brother and his family. I was taking a much needed break from the chaos that has infiltrated my life this last year. During one of my devotional times I was reading Mark chapter 6 and it kind of spoke to where my wife and I are right now in life.
Many of us, myself included and especially my wife can get caught up in doing for others and forget about taking care of ourselves. Often times, even in ministry, we feel like we have to keep on giving and keep on doing, because people depend on us.
In Mark 6 Jesus sent His disciples out to heal and drive out demons and when jthey came back from their assignment they told Jesus of all they had done for Gods glory. And Jesus recognized their need for some rest. Scripture says He told them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” They were doing so much for others that they didn’t even have time to eat properly. To care for themselves.
I think self-care gets a bad rap, because of the word self. Self sounds so selfish and makes us feel guilty. I am reminded of when I got on the plane to fly to Dallas, the attendant was going over all of the safety guides and she said something that made me think about how unselfish it can be to take care of yourself first. She said, “If the air masks drop from overhead, make sure you put yours on first before you help someone else put theirs on.”. That really was revelational. I realized we can’t help others to breathe if we are suffocating ourselves?
Throughout scripture we are told to help the helpless, visit the prisoner, watch after the orphan, take care of our family, feed the needy and be a good neighbor. Think about the person working full time and has a family. Then add in elderly parents that need help or a spouse or a handicapped child that needs full time care. That doesn’t leave much time for self-care. So often though we feel guilty for enjoying ourselves or just relaxing for a day when there is so much to be done.
However, even Jesus practiced self-care. He intentionally made time to be alone and to spend time with friends. Most importantly He made time to be in conversation with the Father. We can practice the same kind of self-care with the same intentional actions. This is important for our well being. Rest was built into Gods design. We were not created to keep going and going. At the minimum we are allowed to rest ourselves 1 day a week, guilt free, because God says so. On that day, we intentionally spend time alone doing something that relaxes us and helps us focus. We spend time with friends and family making connections. Finally, we spend time in prayer conversing with our Father in heaven. (Not necessarily in that order)
There is so much need that sometimes we become overwhelmed and even feel depressed, because we run ourselves ragged. Then we are no good to anyone. So look up, has God dropped the oxygen mask for you? Do you need to stop and take a breath before moving to help someone else get their mask on?
A side note***
I am not advocating shirking responsibilities, but living in a way that makes you more productive while being less stressed.
Peace!
