Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

So Jesus said to them, "Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest a while." Mark 6:31

Here are some thoughts taken from the text...particularly verses 30-34 and then verse 55. I have just put down some thoughts in the hope that you will just 'rest' awhile...or to put it more plainly...just sit and think a bit.

Mark highlights this rushed and hurried aspect of human life.
v.31…’so many people were coming and going’… Why do we choose not to rest? In 3:20, Jesus has no time to eat; in verse 32 neither do the disciples: such is Jesus’ popularity as healer and wonder-worker.
v.32…a deserted place apart from telephones, cell phones, computers, radios… In the city it is easy to focus on the sins of others. In the desert they had themselves to deal with.
v.33…’ran on foot’…crowd symbol of people in a hurry
v.34…’like sheep without a shepherd’…a picture of aimlessness, directionless, following whoever happens to be leading without a sense of purpose or knowledge of where they are going
v.55…’they ran’

Note Mark’s emphasis on the crowd: many recognize them (vv. 33, 55), hurry to meet them as they disembark, are “like sheep without a shepherd” (v. 34, aimless, leaderless); they rush here and there bringing the sick; they beg Jesus (v. 56).
When we're too busy, we forget about the things that actually matter. We don't see the people around us. We don't have time to consider them, to be civil, to make decisions that are kind -- to others and to ourselves.

When I can have everything, in order to have a simple life I have to choose one thing, not 15 things, particularly when it comes to determining what is important and meaningful in my life.

… one minute might also be a window on eternity, or at least and more likely, the next hour."