I ended my sermon with Jesus going away to a lonely place. The Gospels cite several instances where Jesus simply left whatever situation he was in. He didn’t wait for something to finish. He didn’t work until midnight and watch the last newly-sighted blind person walk carefully and joyfully into the darkness, then take his leave.  He didn’t ask permission on whether it was Ok to stop or take a breath. He left in the middle of what he was doing and went to a lonely place.

How selfish, we might exclaim, even though we might not, for after all, this is Jesus. But anyone else might warrant a raised eyebrow or a lower grade. Obviously can’t take the stress, we muse. Apparently doesn’t care, we quip. Let people down, we observe.

So what is Jesus doing here, and what can we learn from it? I think it is fairly simple and perhaps the most revolutionary stand we can take in our culture of work and back-bending schedules:  we are allowed to take time for rest, restoration, healing stillness, time away.  It may be the only way we find wholeness and the strength to get back in the game and effectively be part of the world’s healing.

Note:  For further insight, I recommend Wayne Muller’s Sabbath:  Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives