Jesus had friends. When He was a human He had friends on this earth. I am sure that they still are His friends but the relationship is probably different in paradise.
Those of you who have heard the Pastoral Ministries course “Soul Care for the Caregiver” may remember that we talk about identifying relationships that drain us and relationships that give us energy. We all have people in our life who take our energy. Sometimes it is our children, or our parents, or our spouse. It is very important to recognize who drains us. It doesn’t mean we don’t love them. We probably like giving them our energy but it is important for us to recognize where our energy goes because we have a finite amount of it. I often hear people say that they are looking forward to getting some rest on their vacation but I know full well they are going on vacation with their four young children. I am sure they will have a good time. They may even come back energized in one way or another, but rested? I don’t think so.
This is not to say that we need to avoid those who take our energy. I am not saying you need to take separate vacations. That probably is not practical. I am saying you need to identify that you will not come back rested. Going from one situation, where we are giving, to another with out stopping is not very healthy for us or helpful for the people we are giving to. I am not suggesting unrealistic things like, getting a day by yourself. I am suggesting that you drive the long way home. Stop by the side of the road and read for 10 min. Go for a 10 min walk.
The disciples drained Jesus. He loved them but they drained Him. He needed to be away from them every once in a while. In Mark 6 after Jesus feeds the 5000 we find these words:
45Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
47When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land.
He needed some time to Himself. The disciples are so burnt out and in such a taking mode that they don’t even ask the obvious question: “Jesus, how are you going to get across the lake?” They are surprised to see Him come walking across the water later. That is how desperate the disciples are to get away. Any of us who care for others, need to take time to refresh. We are no good to anyone else if we burn out.
Jesus also had friends who filled Him up. We will look at those in the next blog.
Mark Wallace
Those of you who have heard the Pastoral Ministries course “Soul Care for the Caregiver” may remember that we talk about identifying relationships that drain us and relationships that give us energy. We all have people in our life who take our energy. Sometimes it is our children, or our parents, or our spouse. It is very important to recognize who drains us. It doesn’t mean we don’t love them. We probably like giving them our energy but it is important for us to recognize where our energy goes because we have a finite amount of it. I often hear people say that they are looking forward to getting some rest on their vacation but I know full well they are going on vacation with their four young children. I am sure they will have a good time. They may even come back energized in one way or another, but rested? I don’t think so.
This is not to say that we need to avoid those who take our energy. I am not saying you need to take separate vacations. That probably is not practical. I am saying you need to identify that you will not come back rested. Going from one situation, where we are giving, to another with out stopping is not very healthy for us or helpful for the people we are giving to. I am not suggesting unrealistic things like, getting a day by yourself. I am suggesting that you drive the long way home. Stop by the side of the road and read for 10 min. Go for a 10 min walk.
The disciples drained Jesus. He loved them but they drained Him. He needed to be away from them every once in a while. In Mark 6 after Jesus feeds the 5000 we find these words:
45Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
47When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land.
He needed some time to Himself. The disciples are so burnt out and in such a taking mode that they don’t even ask the obvious question: “Jesus, how are you going to get across the lake?” They are surprised to see Him come walking across the water later. That is how desperate the disciples are to get away. Any of us who care for others, need to take time to refresh. We are no good to anyone else if we burn out.
Jesus also had friends who filled Him up. We will look at those in the next blog.
Mark Wallace
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