Make time for rest, leave time for people

I was reading Mark 6:30-56 today, here are some of my thoughts. This passage begins with Jesus recognizing the need to take some time for rest. The ability to go to a "quiet place" and rest is not something many people value. We are a society that values being as busy as possible, and then complaining about how we are too busy. Jesus had recently been rejected in His hometown (Mark 6:1-5), sent the disciples to go minister to people (Mark 6:6-12), He just found out John the Baptist had been beheaded. This must have been a very stressful (ok, really super stressful) time for all of them. Their response was reasonable, they decided to go to a place and rest. Yet the uncommon thing about this group was that despite the fatigue and stress of the situation, they didn't lose focus on their purpose. The crowds wanted answers for all that was happening. We are told that Jesus had compassion on them because he recognized they were in need of guidance (Mark 6:34). What follows is a familiar story of Jesus feeding the multitude of people who had gathered.
When I read this I think of how cranky I get when I am tired. I think if someone came and asked me for food after a series of event like Jesus and the disciples had just gone through, I would have replied in some bitter fashion. Yet even when Jesus was taking the time to rest, He made sure that there was time for unexpected situations and people. It is important for each of us to time in life to breathe. It is important to just be still and recognize that the God of the Universe has it under control. It is in those situations, when we are still and obedient, that we are leaving room for the unknown.