Alice was quite surprised when she opened her refrigerator and found a rabbit. She asked, “What are you doing here?”

The rabbit replied, “This refrigerator is a Westinghouse, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Mary replied

“Well, I’m westing.”

Jesus knew it was important for people to get away from time to time. His Apostles had just returned from preaching, teaching, healing, and ministering to others needs. It was Jesus who suggested that they get away from the crowds and rest for a while. So many people were coming there was no time to even eat.

They left by boat for a quieter place.

For some people, just getting to work is draining; too many cars, construction, timing. Driving a car, sitting in front of a computer screen, working all day with others: you can only do these for so long,
In the days of the Pony Express mail delivery, a rider could be attacked by Indians, but, because his horse was stronger, he could spur his horse to a gallop and outrun his attackers before his horse would tire.

Indians changed their tactics. They knew they couldn’t outrun the express rider, so, they stationed themselves every few miles along the route. Then, just when the rider had outrun the first group of attackers, the second band would appear, causing him to spur his horse on, without rest. This tactic was repeated until the express rider’s horse would collapse from exhaustion.

Sometimes we’re like those Pony Express horses. We get one crisis resolved and here comes another. If it is not a child in trouble, it’s an aging parent needing attention; if it is not an unhappy client, it’s an expensive car repair; one stressful thing after another.

God rested after creation ... God created day and night: work, rest. Modern humanity is not content with that. Stores are now open seven days, 24 hours. We are not created to go 24 hours a day. We were created for balance: for working and relaxing, for business and for family, for socializing and spending time with God. Anytime our life gets out of balance, we pay the price.

Aesop’s fable says it well. In ancient Athens a man noticed Aesop playing childish games with some children. He was asked, “Why do you waste your time with frivolity?”

Aesop answered by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground.
“Now answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bow implies.”

“If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.”

Jesus never meant for us to be so involved in doing good that we neglect our need for leisure, for rest, for family, for friends. If you don’t come apart, you will come apart.

One of the great needs each of us has is to spend one-on-one time with God. Shutting out the world and focusing on God’s presence in your life.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, “His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.”

What is Jesus teaching you?