He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ – Mark 6:31
As August arrives, many of us find ourselves caught between seasons. Summer vacations begin winding down, students prepare to return to school, teachers ready their classrooms, and the church calendar begins to fill with the excitement of the remainder of the year. Before we rush headlong into the busyness ahead, I invite us to pause and embrace one of God’s greatest gifts: rest.
In our culture, productivity is often celebrated while rest is viewed as something we earn after everything else is finished. Yet Scripture tells a different story. From the very beginning of creation, God established a rhythm of work and rest. Even Jesus, amid the demands of ministry, regularly withdrew to quiet places to pray, reflect, and be renewed. Rest is not a sign of weakness—it is an act of faithful discipleship.
Vacation can certainly be part of that holy rest, whether it involves traveling to a new destination, spending time with family, enjoying a quiet afternoon with a good book, or simply sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee. True Sabbath is less about where we go and more about creating space to reconnect with God, ourselves, and those we love.
As Disciples of Christ, we believe that God calls us to ministries of compassion, hospitality, justice, and service. These ministries are sustained not by our endless striving, but by God’s grace. When we intentionally rest, we acknowledge that the church does not depend solely on our efforts—it belongs to Christ. Taking time to step away allows God to refresh our spirits so that we may return with renewed energy, creativity, and joy for the work of ministry.
If you are able to take vacation, I encourage you to receive it as a sacred gift rather than simply time away. Notice God’s presence in creation. Worship wherever you find yourself. Spend unhurried moments with loved ones. Allow yourself to breathe deeply and remember that you are first and foremost a beloved child of God—not simply a busy person with responsibilities.
And if this season does not allow for an extended vacation, seek small moments of Sabbath each day. Turn off the phone for an hour. Take a walk. Sit quietly in prayer. Read a Psalm. Watch a sunrise or sunset. Even brief moments of intentional rest can remind us of God’s faithful presence.
As we prepare for the opportunities and ministries that await us for the remainder of 2026, may we enter refreshed in body, mind, and spirit. May we discover that rest is not time lost, but time made holy by the God who lovingly invites us, “Come away…and rest for a while.”
Shalom,
Pastor Heidi
