Rest

  I have heard many times a pastor say that even though they are on vacation they are answering phone calls, reading ‘work’ emails, or at the very least thinking about what faces them the very week they return.  We cannot seem to really unplug and let go for even a moment. 

Rest is very important for every pastor.  We are not made to go nonstop for extended periods of time, but unavoidably, the burden of the work is always chasing us.  The Wounded Pastor, those that have been hurt by the very career they are still in, need rest even more.  I have found that when I do not rest, the thoughts are louder, the PTSD is stronger, and the triggers are harder to fight off.

So what does the Word of God have to say about rest?  I was reading this morning and came across a passage in Mark 6.  I had read that Jesus rested often in His ministry, but this time I slowed down to read the context around Mark 6:31 where it states, “And He said to them, Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest awhile.” (NASB)

When you read the whole chapter you will discover that John the Baptist had just been martyred by Herod. The disciples were tasked with taking away John’s body to be buried, which would not have been an easy task. This was a friend and a fellow worker for the cause of the Messiah.  This was the one sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah they were following.  This was a tragic event in these disciple’s young lives.

These disciples then gathered with the Messiah who told them to come away with Him to a secluded place to rest.  They needed time to recover and recharge their batteries for ministry.  I wish that we could do just that!  Get away physically with Christ to a secluded place to just sit and listen to Him. 

But we can!  Pastor, especially if you are a wounded one, please understand the need to rest.  Find your secluded place.  Get away with just a Bible, journal, and a pen and spend time at Jesus’ feet.  Don’t apologize for it.  It is part of your ministry to rest.  You will be all the more strong for it.

The Wounded Pastor

Dr. Matthew Tanner