Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile... (Mark 6:31)
It's is a study trip, a professional development event. I have a stack of books to study and archeological reports to scour, which I was eager to do- to grow my brain and knowledge and skill makes me giddy. But in those few words I heard Jesus call me to another place. A place and journey to him, to rest. I don't need to be the smart one, the skilled one, the one who carries the weight and works so hard to justify this extraordinary trip. Come away was, is, an invitation to be held in his arms, to be still and receive the care and love of the Divine - because that is the kind of Master Jesus is.
So, here in the tiny village of Sirince, Turkey, I have arrived at rest. The hospitality of the people (the guest house owner came to the village market to get us when we could not find our way though the labyrinth of alleyways to Doga Pension), the shopkeeper who gave me samples of local wine to taste while we waited, the beauty from the terrace off our room and the amazing breakfast this morning. All of it, rest and embrace.
After I try to let Mark win a cribbage game (he is down 4 games) we will head off to the ancient site of Ephesus to explore - still In our Papa's embrace of rest.
May you rest in this love today - wherever you are