Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 6:30-31 (New International Version)

³⁰The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. ³¹Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he {Jesus} said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Resting is a legitimate activity. Per these verses (the words of Jesus), resting is a Christian activity.

There are times when the best thing for a Christian to do is to

go by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest

Consider a “retreat.” In my experience, a “retreat” is a weekend where people from a church go somewhere to be hyperactive, stay up long hours, get little or no sleep, and need a day off from their regular job to recuperate. Not much of a “retreat” in my mind.

I have heard of some other churches who build “retreats.” These are places (homes, camps, cabins, a little cottage on the back corner of a church property) where no one lives, but where someone can live for a short time (afternoon, week, month, even a summer). There is little that they must do. They have time to

be by yourselves in a quiet place and get some rest

Perhaps more of us should provide retreats for Christians and use them per Jesus’ instructions.