Text:
Mark 4: 1&2, 35-38

Memory Verse:
“But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’” (Mark 4:38).

In recent years there has been increased sharing of scientific reports that correlate adequate rest and sleep with health and productivity. All agree Ithat sleep, an antidote to some sicknesses, is the best form of rest. However, despite its importance, sleep is gradually becoming a scarce commodity in the life of many Christians, especially the leaders. Our text indicates that the Lord Jesus had been busy teaching all day and had to rest by sleeping – a deep one at that – with a pillow to rest his head in rejuvenation for ministerial engagement later that evening and perhaps into the night. Good rest and sleep impact our daily physical and spiritual activities, yet some take pride in the decreasing time they allot to sleep daily. In deep sleep, we are sometimes privileged to get vital instructions that have serious implications for our life, ministry and generations (Matthew 1:20; 2:13). It is not at all times that dozing off at the wrong time and place passes for a sign of demonic attack. It could be a sign that we need to have proper rest at the proper time and place.
So, irrespective of whatever we do, spiritual or physical, let us remember that adequate rest is necessary. It surely helps us to be refreshed for the day’s activities as this culminates in ministerial effectiveness. When that person who is ordinarily effective becomes clumsy and ineffective in ministerial work, it could be an opportunity for a candid and engaging advice on how much the
person needs to rest properly.

Prayer Points:
1. Lord Jesus, help me to appreciate the place of rest in effective ministry.
2. Father, give sleep to Your children who suffer sleeplessness.