Teacher Don't You Care

“Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:38-40 (NIV)

Studies have shown that the lack of sleep can do everything from lessen an athlete’s ability to do their best, to bringing on feelings of paranoia to making a person lose the ability to act and think coherently. And although it leaves no physical marks, the psychological effects of sleep deprivation can disrupt every physiologic function in the body.

The body needs rest. Father God rested (Genesis 2:4). Jesus rested and encouraged His disciples to rest (Mark 6:31, 46). We are made in the image of God and He created our bodies. Therefore He knows what we need. Just as there is a rest that is good and necessary for our physical bodies and without it can affect and even destroy our bodies, the need for rest for our soul and is no less important. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious”. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to place all of our cares on the Lord and again, Psalm 46:11 exhorts us to “be still and know that He is God”! Matthew 11:29 reminds us that true rest for our souls, comes from the Lord: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Just like the need for physical rest assumes that we have been active, the need for spiritual rest assumes that we have been active as well in a spiritual battle. Sometimes we are on the defensive, (Ephesians 6) and sometimes we are on the offensive (James 4:7). One of the keys to rest is emptying ourselves of all distractions and focusing on something, someone that is calm, serene and restorative.

In the midst of whatever battle you find yourself in today, take courage in the words of this Hymn -

“ O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
(Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Public Domain)

My you rest in the shadow of His wings today….