The Balance Between Renewing And Doing

July 21, 2024

Rev. Mary Erickson

Hope Lutheran Church

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

The Balance between Renewing and Doing

Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord.

We Americans have a love affair with being busy. When asked, “How are you?” a common answer is, “Busy!”

We want to be seen as productive, not idle. Our schedules and the demands of work and life keep us straining at the yoke. In every moment we’re pulling our burden forward.

On average, Americans receive only 11 days of paid vacation per year, way below the rest of the world. And on a day-to-day basis, 48% of Americans indicate that they skip lunch at least once per week. They just don’t have the time in their busy schedules. Or they’re afraid that, if they take the time for lunch, they won’t get all their work done. It’s even worse for Gen Z. 70% of Gen Z skip lunch at least once a week.

So busy, we’re so busy! How do we find a balance between duty and the need for renewal and rest?

Our gospel reading today depicts the difficulty of this tenuous balance. The disciples have just returned from their first mission trip. Jesus had sent them into the surrounding Galilee area in groups of two. When they returned, they regaled Jesus with all they’d seen and accomplished.

Jesus, very sensibly, said what was needed now was a time for rest. “Let’s get away to a deserted place where we can rest for a spell.” Mark tells us they were so busy coming and going that they didn’t even have time to eat. I guess they had that lunch problem back then, too.

So off they go in their boats. Meanwhile, the crowds of people on land saw them take off. They saw the direction they were taking and guessed where they were headed to. This crowd of people so wants to be with Jesus and the disciples that they high tail it along the shoreline, and they arrive at this “lonely spot” before Jesus and his disciples beach their boats.

So much for R and R! Jesus begins to teach them.

Our story today takes a break here. According to Mark, Jesus goes on to feed the crowd of 5000 some people. We’ll hear that story next Sunday. This morning our story line leapfrogs ahead to what happens next. Jesus and his disciples get into their boats once again. This time they head to the land of Gennesaret. But as soon as they get out of their boats, people immediately recognize them. They bring their sick and lay them before Jesus. It’s the same wherever he goes – cities, villages, farms.

Jesus doesn’t put off the crowds. He doesn’t say, “Now, folks, everyone needs a day off. Please give us a breather and come back tomorrow.” So even though Jesus told his disciples they needed to rest, Jesus doesn’t take his own advice.

We’re caught in this same bind. We recognize our need for rest and renewal. We acknowledge our creatureliness. We’re biological, physical creatures. And we’re limited by our biology. We NEED rest, we NEED to take care of ourselves. We get that.

Today we’re worshiping in a “lonely place.” This is our summer outdoor worship, and we gather here in this lovely setting on the banks of the Chippewa River. We enjoy the fresh breeze, we drink in the view of the river and surrounding banks. There’s something about nature that restores our souls. We’re energized by being outside, connecting with the earth below and sky above.

And we recognize the need to take time aside to be regenerated. This last week our team of young people and their chaperones were in New Orleans for the ELCA Youth Gathering. It’s an intense week, but also one that stimulates and deepens faith. These gathering attendees are like the disciples who came back from their mission trip, all stoked up from what they’d experienced.

Our church team returned late last night or early this morning, depending on how you look at it. And guess what: they’re not here today! They’re taking Jesus’ advice and resting for a while! There will be time for them to share their experiences with us. But for now, rest is what is most needed.

Are we busy doing, or are we renewing? There’s a conflicting biblical imperative to do both.

• We’re directed to the command for sabbath rest.

• But we’re also commissioned into a life of mission.

• Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I shall give you rest."

• But he also said, “Take up your cross and follow me.”

We’re stuck in the middle of a conundrum. If we don’t mind ourselves, we’ll be left feeling guilty all the time. We suffer remorse for not resting when we should. But by the same token, when we do sit and rest for a spell, then we feel like we’re slacking, we’re not pulling our share.