You Can’t Run on Empty
Mark 6:30-31 The apostles Jesus had sent out came back to him. They gathered around him and told him about all they had done and taught. Jesus and his followers were in a very busy place. There were so many people that he and his followers did not even have time to eat. He said to them, “Come with me. We will go to a quiet place to be alone. There we will get some rest.”
Truth: You can’t keep running on empty. Yet so many are trying to do just that. It’s no way to live your life. We need physical and emotional rest and, whether we realise it or not, spiritual restoration. So, question: Are you running on empty?
In 1867, John Muir was physically and emotionally drained. After an accident that temporarily blinded him, he was shaken, lost, and unsure of his future. Doctors told him to rest, but instead of following the conventional path, he walked a thousand miles from Indiana to Florida, reconnecting with nature at every step.
On that epic journey, something shifted. In the quiet of the forests and the rhythm of walking, his spirit was renewed. It was the turning point of his life. He emerged with a profound sense of purpose—to protect the wilderness. His advocacy eventually led to the founding of the U.S. National Parks.
Mark 6:30-31 The apostles Jesus had sent out came back to him. They gathered around him and told him about all they had done and taught. Jesus and his followers were in a very busy place. There were so many people that he and his followers did not even have time to eat. He said to them, “Come with me. We will go to a quiet place to be alone. There we will get some rest.”
Jesus recognised their need for physical rest and spiritual renewal, so He invited them into solitude and recovery. You can’t do, you can’t love, you can’t live while you’re running on empty
Looking after yourself isn’t selfishness – it’s good stewardship. God designed you, yes, for work … but also for rest, solitude, nourishment, and spiritual refreshment. So … rest!
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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