Jesus and Keeping a Rhythm

P.D. Novice commented on how we find images of Jesus in the Gospels withdrawing from the crowds to be in prayer. Coincidentally, or God-incidentally as I like to call it, my wife's bible study class was examining Mark chapter 6 today and noted how Jesus withdrew from the crowds but then they would come to him and he would "look on them with pity" or some translations say "felt compassion" and he would reengage and respond to them. A really wonderful example of this is Mark 6:30-34 which reads as follows...

"The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while. (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things." (NASB version)

Jesus obviously recognized the need for basic self care as essential to good ministry. He withdrew and sometimes did so by himself. I am convinced that he didn't only do that when at a place of being so burned out or tired that he couldn't do anything else. Jesus had a practice of withdrawing and it seems that he even had at least one particular spot he would go to. In the Gospel of Luke after celebrating the Passover meal with his disciples and before being arrested we are told,

"And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed Him." Luke 22:39.

Apparently, Jesus had done this with some regularity and with the awareness of the disciples. Even God rested, so why should we think that we can avoid a rhythm of restful withdrawal in our lives.

If someone where to look at your life right now and write about it, what text would surround the words, "as was his/her custom?" Would it say, "And he came out from work very late and tried to pray just before sleeping and dozed off as was His custom." Or "And she found herself constantly in a rush while never completing her to do list as was her custom." Or "He slammed more coffee and just kept moving, but could never seem to find any peace or joy as was his custom."

What would it take for someone to write about your lif.e... "And she walked out to the garden to pray as was her custom." Or "And he awoke rested and ready to serve as was his custom." Or "And he simply sat down and took a few breaths to become centered before responding to the request as was his custom."?

Give it some thought and more importantly prayer. We can revisit this again. I look forward to folks comments. Blessing to you as you build good customs for maintaining a Godly rhythm in your life,
The Practical Disciple