The Upper Room Devotional for 19th February 2023

The Upper Room Devotional Today February 19, 2023

TODAY’S TOPIC: INVITATION TO REST

Jennifer Hegeman (Missouri, USA)

TODAY’S READING
Mark 6:30-34

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Learning to rest prepares me to serve God well.

The Upper Room Devotional for 19th February 2023

If an ax is dull and one doesn’t sharpen it first, then one must exert more force. It’s profitable to be skillful and wise. – Ecclesiastes 10:10 (CEB)

For 28 years, I was consumed by my career as a faculty member and department chair at a local university. As with most educators, my job didn’t end when I left campus for the day. Although my husband encouraged me to take time for rest and renewal, I often worked late into the evening to prepare for the next day.

But at the start of my 29th year at the university, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Rest was no longer optional. To ensure I had adequate strength to continue serving my students and colleagues, I became more intentional about setting aside time every day to engage in restful activities, including prayer and reading scripture. I found the daily act of resting in God’s presence to be especially helpful in calming my mind, body, and soul so that I could face the next challenge.

I imagine my experience with rest is similar to what the apostles must have experienced when Jesus invited them to rest after they returned from their travels. Sometimes we do not prioritize resting in God’s presence until we experience a stressful life event. As painful as my cancer diagnosis was, it saved my life by teaching me how to rest.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father God, thank you for calling us to rest in your presence, strengthening our minds, bodies, and souls for all you have for us to do. Amen.

PRAYER FOCUS
Someone who needs rest