When the Crowd Is Too Loud

There is a moment in Mark’s Gospel that I have been thinking about lately.

The disciples had just returned from the work Jesus had sent them out to do. They had been preaching, ministering, and seeing God move.

But when they returned, the crowds were still there.

Scripture says there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and the disciples didn't even have time to eat.

I think a lot of us know what that feels like.

Maybe not crowds following us around, but the feeling that there is always something else that needs our attention.

Another problem.

Another responsibility.

Another person who needs something.

Another thing that needs to be done.

But I love what Jesus says to His disciples.

“Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”

Jesus knew there was still work to be done.

There were still people who needed healing. There were still people who needed to hear the truth. There were still needs everywhere around them.

But He told His disciples to come away with Him.

The older I get, the more important I think this is.

There have been many seasons in my life when I just kept going.

Raising a family. Providing for them. Running businesses. Solving problems. Taking care of people. Trying to be a good husband, father, employer, and follower of Jesus.

There was always something that needed to be done.

And usually I did it.

But I'm learning that constantly doing isn't necessarily the same thing as being faithful.

Jesus Himself made time to get away.

Mark tells us that He rose long before daylight and went to a solitary place to pray.

After feeding the thousands, He sent the crowds away and went up on a mountain alone.

Luke tells us that Jesus often withdrew into the wilderness to pray.

If Jesus needed time alone with the Father, why would I think I don't?

And He wasn't the only one.

Elijah came to a point where he was completely exhausted. After everything that happened on Mount Carmel, he fled into the wilderness.

When God met him, He wasn't in the wind.

He wasn't in the earthquake.

He wasn't in the fire.

Then Elijah heard the still small voice.

Moses spent forty days on the mountain with God.

David spent years in caves and wilderness places. Some of the words he wrote during those difficult years still encourage us today.

Mary sat at the feet of Jesus while Martha was busy serving.

And when Habakkuk didn't understand what God was doing, he went to the watchtower and waited to hear what the Lord would say.

I don't think these stories are there by accident.

There is something that happens when we get away from the noise long enough to listen.

For me, that has become solitude and silence.

I spent many years believing that being responsible meant staying busy. There was a family to provide for and work that needed to be done. And those things were important.

They still are.

But I am learning that I cannot continually give from a place that is empty.

Sometimes I need to come away.

That doesn't necessarily mean going into the wilderness or spending forty days on a mountain.

It might simply mean getting up before the house does.

Sitting quietly with a cup of coffee and my Bible.

Turning off the phone.

Taking a walk without filling my ears with something.

Sitting before the Lord without feeling like I need to accomplish anything.

I'm learning to be comfortable with that.

I don't have to fill every quiet moment with words.

I don't always have to bring God a list.

Sometimes I can simply sit with Him.

Jesus told His tired disciples, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”

I think He still invites us to do that.

There will always be another responsibility waiting.

There will always be another problem to solve.

There will always be something else that could be done.

But sometimes the faithful thing is to stop.

Come away.

And rest awhile with Him.