Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Pastors’ Column – 05/29/17



“And he said unto them, ‘Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.’”

– Mark 6:31

“I am burned out, and I sure am glad that it is the end of the school year and summer will soon be here.” Or, “I can’t wait to get away to spend some time outdoors, sitting by the fire, visiting with friends, and simply relaxing, away from all the noise of life.” Or, “ My family and I don’t talk much to each other anymore.”

Summertime is an enjoyable time – not only is the weather sunny and warm, but one is able to spend time outdoors camping, taking family vacations, and attending family reunions, to name a few. Those activities allow us to rest, to refresh, to reconnect, and to refocus.

Jesus addressed even this aspect of our lives in the Holy Scriptures. Following their report to Him of their recent mission trip, Jesus counseled the disciples to join himself in a quiet and uninhabited place, away from the crowds of people. Likewise, we all need time away from our regular responsibilities and duties of life.

Rest allows our bodies to be refreshed, and time together with our families enables us to reconnect with each other in a relaxed atmosphere during which time our perspective about many things is changed to the better. Often times, when we live with our plate full, we tend to live life with a level of stress which causes us to be critical, impatient, and short-sighted.

Let us note that Jesus did not send them away into the quiet place by themselves, but He, the Word, invited them to come with Him into the place of solitude in the beauty of His creation. Nature is a gift none of us have earned; it is that which all of us have the privilege of enjoying, and that we endeavor to maintain so those who come after us will be able to enjoy the same blessing.

Abiding in the presence of the Lord in a quiet place allows us to not only rest, but also we are given the opportunity to hear His voice, apart from the many voices which are vying for us to hear them, voices that may not necessarily edify and strengthen us. As we unwind and as our minds, our bodies, and our souls become rested and refreshed after months of continual labor and responsibility, we will discover that we are able to function in a more loving, compassionate, and more efficient ways in all areas of responsibility in our lives.

Tradition tells us that as the Apostle John was nearing the end of his life, and as he observed a servant of the Lord who was continually involved in some aspect of ministry to the Lord, the aged Apostle remarked to a bystander, “The bow that is continually bent will soon break.”

As we rest a while during the summer season, may we meditate and reflect upon the goodness of the Lord toward us as we continue to run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.








Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.