After returning from their journeys of healing and teaching, You invited the tired, hungry disciples to a quiet place to rest (Mark 6:30-44). As You reached the solitary destination, You saw the multitude that had hurried to meet You there and You were moved with compassion. You did not send them away to adhere to the original plan but instead, began to teach them many things. So, instead of the “promised” rest and refreshment, Your disciples found themselves in the midst of a great crowd of seekers that would soon need physical nourishment as well. I wonder how they felt about this turn of events. When it was late in the day, they approached You to suggest You send the people away to surrounding villages so they could buy food for they had nothing to eat. Your response was somewhat humorous and certainly unexpected; “You give them something to eat.”  “Shall we go and buy 200 denarii (wages for approximately 200 days of labor!) worth of bread to feed them?”  Was their response delivered with sarcasm? Disbelief? Fatigue? Disappointment? They thought they were headed into a time of rest, not additional demands. Whatever was in their hearts, You still allowed them to be part of Your miraculous provision to the masses. With the meager finding of five loaves and two fishes, You fed them all. You didn’t provide scantily; they all ate and were filled. Spiritually at first, now physically as well. And after eating, twelve baskets of leftovers were collected—did each disciple get to hold the evidence of the miracle You just performed? (I think that much exquisite symbolism will be revealed to us in heaven!)

The power and truth of this lesson resonates clearly with my spirit. I don’t know how Your disciples were when they were hungry and tired, but I know how I am and it “ain’t pretty!”. I want to drag my cranky pants self to a quiet place with NO interruptions to eat and sleep until I feel recharged. Yet again, You demonstrate that You alone are The Source of power, refreshment and use; NOT my futile attempts and efforts to revitalize myself. When I am exhausted, spent and in dire need of rest, but You choose a path that does not appear to lead to refreshment, I desire to go willingly. I long to witness, perhaps even be humbly used in the miracles You are still performing.