Jump Start # 3123

Mark 7:24 “Jesus got up and went away from there to the region of Tyre. And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice.”

NOTE: Our Jump Starts are going to take the next two weeks off for a break. We are hoping to resume again on Monday July 18th. You can visit our Jump Start website (www.Jumpstartsdaily.com) and there you will find about three thousand to read. There are search engines to look up topics or key passages that were used.

Our verse today leads into the healing of the Canaanite woman’s daughter. She was cruelly demon possessed. Jesus was up in Gentile country to get away. There were other occasions when Jesus got away.

• Mark 1:35 “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.”
• Mark 6:31 “And He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.’ (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat).”

Getting away. Taking a break. Going on vacation. Those are all wonderful concepts for us. We look forward to those times. It’s good to get away from the pace and the stress of life. It’s good to calm the mind and the nerves. One doesn’t have to travel far, nor spend much money to just put the heart and soul at peace. The Psalmist said, “Be still and know that I am God” (PS 46:10). And, that is a wonderful invitation for all of us.

What to do on a break? Some are so busy and doing so much, that they need a vacation after the vacation. Here are some suggestions:

First, try to unplug electronically and from social media. Our lives are so wrapped up on those things. Eating lunch, we check our email and send texts. Many of us cannot go very long without looking at our phones. There must be a long term impact that has on us. I was out to lunch the other day. As I was leaving, there was a mom, dad and young child at a nearby table. Mom and dad were both starring intently into their phones. The child was looking at a tablet. Deep conversations. Sharing dreams. Fascinating spiritual discussions. Those things are fading away in our times. Unplug to unwind!

Second, do something fun. That’s hard for some of us. Always working. Always pushing. Always doing. And, when our time here is over, we will be remembered for work. He always worked. Read something that is not in your normal genre of reading. Sit outside and look at the stars. Put a smile back on your face. Find something good and decent to laugh about. God has given us this world to enjoy. I don’t sense that tending the garden for Adam was to be a burden. Make memories. Visit some places that you always wanted to see.

Third, spend a little on yourself. Again, we can be so budget minded and goal focused that all our nickels are going to a retirement fund and we may never get to enjoy the money that we worked hard for. Now, don’t go overboard by buying a boat that you really do not need nor can afford. Don’t do that. But go to a ballgame, a movie, a concert. Spoil yourself just a bit.

Fourth, use the time to connect deeper with the Lord. Thank the Lord. Do some special studies that you never had time for. Don’t ever use time off as a break from the Lord. That is never wise, healthy nor helpful. Start a spiritual journal. Catch up on some blogs and podcasts. Use the time to grow and be better, not worse.

Jesus got away. If the Lord did, so do you and I. Get rest. But, then get back into the fight of things. Raise those kids to know the Lord. Plug into the kingdom and find out where you can help others. A rested soul can be a great benefit to those around you.

Summer time is a great time to do just these things!

Roger