Escaping Exhaustion

Today’s Jewel:

Prayer

Treasure Map Coordinates:

Matthew 14:13-23

“It’s been a demanding week. What do you do on Friday night?”

The question was posed as the icebreaker at a Bible study I attended. It wasn’t until after I returned home that I realized the prevailing answer to this question involved couches and television, my own answer included. After a long week, you will likely find me curled up on the sofa alongside my husband in stretchy pants and a comfortable T-shirt.

Perhaps it was the prompting of the Holy Spirit, but my inclination toward mindless activity bothered me. Given free time, I choose television more often than I care to admit. As I contemplated this fact, one question plagued me: “What would Jesus do with his Friday night?”

While it isn’t a full week of ministry, Matthew 14:12-36 records one day in the life of Jesus.

As he had done every other day, Jesus rose from his slumber anticipating many opportunities for ministry. Early in the day, however, John the Baptist’s disciples came to him with unexpected and heartbreaking news: John the Baptist had been beheaded. Learning of his cousin’s death, Jesus desired to be alone and “withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place” (Matthew 14:13a).

Yes. An extended time of solitude was just what his heart needed. However, his plans were thwarted when the crowds followed him—completely unaware of his heartache.

When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, Jesus set aside his own sorrow and focused on the needs of the townspeople. With unbridled compassion, Jesus chose to heal the sick and satisfy the hunger of the massive crowd.

After Jesus miraculously fed the crowd of five thousand men (plus women and children), he once again sought solitude. Immediately, Jesus sent his disciples to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowd.

Unexpected news. Interrupted alone time. Needy hands vying for every ounce of his energy. Sick individuals requesting his healing touch. Hungry crowds desperate for nourishment. Humanly speaking, it had been a very long day. As the crowds departed, surely Jesus was emotionally drained, physically exhausted and spiritually spent.

I dare say his day is remarkably similar to many of my own—and likely your own. While the details differ, the analogy holds true: Our days don’t go as planned and no matter where we turn, there are people who need us or our resources. Completely unaware of our own hurts and heartaches, the people in our lives sap us of every last ounce of energy. We find ourselves emotionally drained, physically exhausted and spiritually spent.

It’s been a demanding day. What do you do?

Jesus, by example, offers the best possible solution. When he finally had a moment to call his own, Jesus “went up on a mountainside by himself to pray” (Matthew 14:23).

Jesus chose to refresh his mind, body and spirit through prayer.

Scripture leaves us guessing, but I sense an eagerness and excitement in Jesus’ steps as he climbed the mountainside. From past experience, he knew time on his knees would provide the strength, stamina and restoration for which his flesh desperately craved. Now, finally, he could escape into the arms of his Father.

I am inclined to think he had secretly been longing for this moment all day—time to grieve his dear cousin’s death; a chance to thank the Father for strength to continue in ministry; time to ask for a replenished spirit and focused heart.

We are tempted to think Jesus was merely exercising his divine nature and proving himself above humanity by rushing all too eagerly into the embrace of his Heavenly Father. We assume if Jesus lived in our shoes, he would curl up in front of the television too.

Scripture, however, is replete with examples of Jesus flipping common ideology and expectations upside-down. Everything Jesus teaches and demands of his disciples is contrary to the ways of the world. Since this is true, does it not stand to reason that while the world may seek refreshment through entertainment, Jesus has a different standard for his followers?

From our perspective, it seems like an unlikely source for a deep, soul refreshment. We can accept Jesus’ desire to be alone. We can respect his choice for the mountainside. But praying? I can draw only one conclusion: If prayer was good enough for Jesus, I will not be found lacking for refreshment if I follow in his footsteps—right into the arms of the Father.

For Reflection

① Has past experience proven prayer to be a restorative exercise for your mind, body and spirit? If so, what keeps you from engaging in prayer when you are most depleted?

② How can you effectively balance the need for personal downtime and the need to replenish your soul through prayer?

Bury that Treasure!

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God (Psalm 42:1).

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible: The New International Version (NIV)

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