The Red Line

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, 'Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"

Mark 6:31, NIV

Been living on the red line? Red line living is fun, fast and exciting…no doubt about it. But, living on the red line cannot be sustained—nor should it be. The red line is for overdrive seasons. If you've been burning the candle at both ends, working a 24/7 schedule and carrying the weight of the world—take a break! Jesus approves and recommends it. Sometimes, you don't need to run to God's throne to obtain more grace; you need to run into His arms to rest!

Here a few words of encouragement to help you detach from the red line:

"Come with Me…" Take a break with Jesus. Hang out with Him. Go shopping with Him. Read a book with Him. Take a walk with Him. Sing with Him. Golf with Him. Lay in the sun with Him. Stare at the mountains with Him. Be with Him.

"…by yourselves…" Being with a group is great. Being in church is great. Being with our spouses, kids and friends is great—but we all need time by ourselves with Jesus. Get alone with God.

"…to a quiet place…" Silence is good. Tune out the noise, clutter and commotion of this world. Find your quiet place. Some versions state the passage this way: "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place," (vs. 31, KJV)—a sure sign that Palm Springs is God's will. "And they departed into a desert place by ship privately," (vs. 32, KJV)—a definite confirmation you need to go on a cruise.

"…to get some rest." Keyword: rest. That means unplug. Turn off the cell phone. Don't do work on your laptop. Sleep. Eat. Laugh. Wind down the turbines. Forget the schedule. Rest the mind, body, emotions and spirit. Find pockets of time to seek the Lord and get your battery recharged and your tank re-fueled.

Let's pray.

"Father, thank You for the grace and joy of those red line seasons and the eternal fruit they produce. Thank You also for showing me how to get alone with You, by myself, in a quiet place to get some rest. In Jesus' Name. Amen."