Welcome to June! This month we leave Spring behind and enter Summer. It has been a long and challenging year, and summer has it’s own set of challenges. While some things get quieter, other things get busier – camps, kid’s programs, less human resources in church (logistic challenges). It is also the time that we usually try and fit in our holiday, to get a break from the hectic pace of the other seasons. So here we stand at another cross-roads. Do we rest or do we push through with the demands around us?

I am not always good at choosing the right path at this cross-road but I’ve learned a lot from Jesus who has shown us (me!) the right way, and the good way to walk when faced with the challenge of pushing through with work or taking time to rest.

Mark’s gospel is full of action! He is a verb man. In his gospel, Jesus is always doing something or going somewhere. At the end of his 16-chapter gospel, I usually feel exhausted! But Mark is also careful to note that it is not about action. In fact, in the middle of action, there is pause, and that pause is the good path we need to learn to take.

In Mark 1:21-28, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue and is interrupted by a man with an evil spirit. So, not only has Jesus had to teach, now he needs to turn his full attention to a suffering man. He casts out the demon and the people are amazed. I can well imagine the people, in their amazement had a lot of questions that asked Jesus. I doubt he could have just quietly walked away.

Right after, Mark tells us that Jesus leaves the synagogue and goes to Simon and Andrew’s house (I imagine to rest and relax). Instead, as soon as they walk in the house, they discover that Simon’s mother-in-law is very ill. So, instead of sitting down, Jesus goes to her and heals her. Instantly she is well and begins to cook and serve them, finally, a chance to be served and rest, right? Wrong!

The next verse (v32-34), people start coming to the house asking to be healed and have demons cast out. Once again, Jesus is pouring himself out for people. The entire day, from the morning at the synagogue, to now, Jesus hasn’t stopped. He’s gone from one thing to the next, from teaching to casting out demons, to healing and being surrounded by people.

Does that sound familiar to you? Does that feel familiar to you? Long, full days of work, with people constantly at your door needing your attention. You change locations looking for some quiet time, but people find you there too. It’s exhausting but also exhilarating. You are loved and needed, and that feels great! Great enough to do it today, tomorrow and for many weeks strung together.

The disciples have been watching Jesus in action, and they see how the people are responding to him. This has been great for the ministry! That’s why they wake up excited the next day, greeted by even more people who want to meet Jesus. Imagine their shock when they go to call Jesus an discover he’s not there!

They disciples are frantic! People are waiting, they are desperate, open to listening, excited to get more and hear more and the disciples don’t want Jesus to miss any opportunity.

Jesus has seen things differently though. He has understood what is most pressing; He needs to be alone with His Father. He’s not moved by urgency or popularity. He knows that people’s needs will never stop. He also knows that right now; he needs to be alone and to pray.

Rest in the middle of ministry. Quiet in the middle of demand. Prayer when everyone is expecting action. Standing at the cross-roads and choosing peace over performance.

As summer sets in and the requests for our attention continue to come, may we also accept the path of Jesus and learn to stop, be alone, be quiet and pray. Let’s all take up the offer of Matthew 11:28-29 to come to Him when we’re weary and trade burdens; for his is light and easy (and life-giving) and our is heavy and draining. With Jesus, we have the offer and promise of rest.

May the rest of this summer-edition newsletter encourage you, challenge you and inspire you. Be blessed.

Connie Main Duarte

General Secretary

European Evangelical Alliance