Rest is an act of defiance

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” - Mark 6:31

Jesus is talking to his disciples in this passage. He knew they were going hard. He knew the kind of brutal, oppressive systems of religion and politics that they were facing, and he knew how much it takes out of us to battle against the brokenness of our world. So instead of telling them to get back into the game again, he invited them to take a rest.

As one modern day mystic put it:

Rest is an act of defiance, and it cannot be predicated on apology. It’s the audacity to face the demands of this world and proclaim, “We will not be owned.” - Cole Arthur Riley

Looking at the long haul in front of us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, what are some appropriate and needed ways you might care for yourself in the next few days?