[050]. A Message From A Poem – Come Aside And Rest Awhile

[050]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – COME ASIDE AND REST AWHILE

Burnout is just as real among some Christian workers as it is in the working world. Those who are faithful and go the extra mile in service for their Lord can feel the strain and stress of ministry. Don’t forget either, that the evil demonic world wants to crush in on Christians and that makes it even more imperative that we note that fact and ease up sometimes to recoup and refresh.

After a busy time of ministry, the record shows this – {{Mark 6:30-32 “The apostles gathered together with Jesus and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “COME AWAY BY YOURSELVES TO A LONELY PLACE AND REST A WHILE.” (For there were many people coming and going and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.”}}. Jesus knew the necessity of this rest for all of us and cemented it here in Mark.

There is an incident also recorded in Mark – {{Mark 6:43-46 “They picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish and there were five thousand men who ate the loaves. Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida while He Himself was sending the multitude away. After bidding them farewell, HE DEPARTED TO THE MOUNTAIN TO PRAY.”}} I think this is another example where the Lord wanted to get away to rest a little, as well as the need to pray. He’d had a busy time of ministry and teaching.

This poem came as I realized the importance of this move for Christians. We sometimes hear the word “retreat” as in a place of rest and quietness. We all need to draw aside and spend time in reflection and rest.

I fear there are a few who say they want a holiday and as they get ready, a Christian comes with a need and the person gets told, “I can’t see you now. I am packing to go away for a fortnight.” I think that is disgusting. BUT it happened to the Lord.

When He told His disciples to come away with Him and rest a while, guess what happened? Here Mark records it – {{Mark 6:33-34 “and the people saw them going and many recognised them, and they ran there together on foot from all the cities and got there ahead of them. When He went ashore, He saw a great multitude and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd and He began to teach them many things.”}}. That is also an example for us!

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COME ASIDE AND REST AWHILE

The Lord would have us to understand,

That the pressures of life dictate

Some times of refreshing at His hand,

In the quietness of His presence.

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A shepherd nurtures and loves his sheep

And makes them lie down in repose.

In quietness secure, there will He keep

His sheep, beside those calm waters.

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In reflected beauty sheep behold,

The provisions he makes for them.

In green pastures they need not be told

Of strength for the new journey gained.

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“Come aside and rest a while with Me,”

Is still the Saviour’s caring call.

The need in His children, He can see,

For their restoration to strength.

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Then come apart from busy turmoil;

Turn off the cares and strife of life.

Leave life’s hurts, and conflicts that embroil,

And draw aside to Him, your Lord.

31 July, 1997 R E Ferguson 9-8-9-8 ABAD