Daily Bread

The Lord is my shepherd;
therefore can I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures
and leads me beside still waters.
He shall refresh my soul
and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me
in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Mark 6.30–34

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Two Bible readings today! I wanted to reflect on the reading from Mark, but Psalm 23 is also the set reading for today and it is too good not to share!

We long for inner peace and rest don't we? I know I do. When I have a spare moment I find myself looking at photos of mountains and rivers and valleys and longing to hear only the wind in the trees, taste the fresh air, and feel that wonderful sense of calm that descends when surrounded by nature. Who doesn't want to lie down in green pastures, be led by still waters, and have their soul refreshed?

Jesus often withdrew, sometimes on his own and sometimes with his disciples, to 'deserted' places to rest. When Mark writes 'deserted' places he simply means places of quiet and calm, not surrounded by the hustle of business, people, and work. Jesus needed it, his disciples needed it, and we need it too.

It is important we take our weekly 'Sabbath' whether that is a Sunday or another day, but we also need extended periods of rest when we can recharge our batteries, and I think we also need uninterrupted quiet, to go some place where we will not be disturbed by social media, text messages, WhatsApp pings, emails, phone calls, or doorbell rings.

The truth is that, unless we happen to be a hermit living in a remote cave, it ain't gonna happen unless we make it happen. In other words, we need to choose to have times of rest and intentionally build them into our lives.

Holy God
My soul longs for peace and rest,
and for my body, heart, and mind to be refreshed and restored.
Help me find sacred spaces where I can retreat
away from the hustle and bustle of life —
a place of calm where I can find myself,
hear your still, comforting voice,
and be reminded of your unending love.
Now and forever,
Amen