“Come away with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” Mark 6:31
These are the words Jesus spoke to the disciples on a day it was so busy, the Scriptures tell us they didn’t have time to eat.
As the new year begins, it’s very easy to get pulled away by busyness and stress. Everyone wants to do more, be more and get more done, make changes now.
But our busyness takes a toll on us.
I don’t want to just go and go to the next thing.
With every check list we complete, with every task accomplished, there is a cost.
Unless we step away and rest — unless we allow God to restore and revitalize us — we become dangerously busy.
We become depleted. Diminished in our capacity —
to feel our emotions,
to connect deeply with God, with others,
to be who we were created to be. Beloved.
I don’t want that way of living anymore.
Today, you and I have a choice.
We can stop. Pause and listen to the One Voice that is quiet. That whispers just what we need. Today.
Not for tomorrow. Not even for next week or later this year.
Let’s stop right now. Intentionally step away. Right where we are. As is.
Receive your One Word. Our daily bread. Manna. Just for today.
Step into this one day. Stop and listen.
Dare to be the Beloved instead of busy.
“Come away with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” Mark 6:31
What is the One Word that draws your attention in this verse right now?
As quiet as the sun rising in the dawn, it’s soft light slowly casting it’s warmth into the room, let the whispers in today’s Scripture make its way in you now.
Reflect. His One Word Whispers For You
For me, the One Word that speaks to me in Jesus’ whispers to step away with him is rest.
Let me tell you what I heard and what I mean…
I didn’t want to go any further.
I wanted to turn back.
We had never been to the Point Reyes Lighthouse and this year, I told Eric I wanted to take the boys with us to go see it.
Since I first experienced panic attacks, it’s become a soulful practice for me & family to start the new year with God in nature’s Spiritual Whitespace. It’s become a transforming experience for us, because even though I don’t have panic attacks anymore, our family has picked up a new rhythm and the boys who at first didn’t like talking long walks have been persuaded out of pure repetition and love it now (ahem, I have used Skittles, M&Ms, gummi bears and other goodies to motivate Josh and Caleb for our treks. … yes, bribery works. And in this case, to experience Spiritual Whitespace, I thought it was worth it.)
We did Muir Woods the previous day already, which was beautiful with the Redwoods. But, as we took this long road, getting up at the crack of dawn (I don’t like crowds, so I like to go when it first opens, before the crowds roll in) — everything around us was barren. There were no trees. Just shrubs, rocks and barren dessert terrain as drove to towards the cliffs where the lighthouse made it’s home.
It seemed desolate and boring. Even borderline depressing. Nothing to see here, I thought.
Very Quiet
I told Eric, Let’s just go and take some pictures and leave. I want to go back to Muir Woods. And I made a crinkly grimace with my nose.
I didn’t want to stay and have my day wasted on some barren terrain.
I wanted to go back to what I knew I liked.
It seemed we were driving forever, with nothing around us, when the bumpy road started climbing up.
“Look Mom!” six-year-old Caleb shouted, pointing ahead, “It looks like we’re going to fall off a cliff!”
“Yeah!” joined ten-year-old Josh, “It looks like the road ends!”
I was in my mom mode, so I answered, “You know, it just looks that way. When we get there, you’ll see the road doesn’t end. But, we can’t see any farther until we get there…”
My mind was far away, feeling the new year seemed to be the same. 2015 was filled excitement, promoting the release of my book, I got to meet beautiful children Jesus loves in the Dominican Republic with Compassion and advocate for them by telling their stories — and Eric and I even got to enjoy a 2nd honeymoon getaway to celebrate our 12th anniversary for the first time since having kids, thanks to some friends who watched Josh and Caleb.
2016 is very quiet. No plans or special projects on the horizons. I don’t want to write something just for the sake of writing a book. I have one book proposal for an idea God’s placed on my heart, but no word yet. My life appears barren of any special plans or goals at this moment other than my everyday life. Maybe even uninspiring to others looking in?
But, just as I was thinking all this, our car reached the top of hill.
If I Turned Back
And as far as my eye could see, miles and miles of beaches — all uninterrupted by rocks, trees or land laid bare, as the oceans waves crashed up onto the land, in a continuous symphony of spray as the tides seemed to cascade like Olympic swimmers digging strokes deep and powerful across the water.
There was not a cloud in the sky so blue and wide, so smooth, it looked as if I could stretch my hands out and my fingers would touch silk.
The ocean was blue topaz, sparkling as the sun’s rays pierced each crest that moved across the Pacific ocean like a petals rustling in the breeze blow through a meadow of wildflowers in spring.
I was so taken back by all my eyes tried to see. I rolled down the windows and I could hear the ocean’s roar.
In that moment of rest — when I thought there was nothingness, God whispered —
“Dare to be my beloved.
Not for tomorrow. Not for what you think this year will bring.
Simply rest. Listen to my whispers for you. Today.”
If I turned back, I would’ve missed out on the beautiful journey ahead for me.
Dare to be Beloved. Not busy.
Struck By Lightning
It struck me like lightning.
What if I just lived one week at a time — listening for just One Word at a time?
Maybe only living One Word at a time – one day, one moment at a time – would lead me somewhere COMPLETELY different — a completely different destination — than I would have reached if I had stuck with the plans that I chart for myself, based on only what I know?
I knew without a shadow of a doubt God’s whispers to me this year: Dare be the beloved. Today.
And this is how the idea for #OneWordCoffee Wednesday was born.
We are to journey One Word at a time. One week at a time. With Jesus. Today.
New Soul Strength
As Eric & I took the boys on a beautiful, quiet hike to the lighthouse, I was reminded by the waves that quietly return to the shore, how the blue skies shine on the cliffs and the gray whales breaching in migration — everything beautiful moves by God’s invitation. ?
And so I asked myself — rather than striving to please, belong or avoid being hurt, what is the journey God’s inviting me step out & experience with him?
We can have courage to begin new, not because we won’t hurt… but because we have Someone who sees us and calls us His. Being loved is soul strength.
Pray. Today’s One Word Prayer
Dear Jesus,
I want to step away and rest.
I want to be restored. Refreshed.
I want to be the beloved. Yours.
Like waves returning the sand, have your way in me.
I want to be the beloved. Not busy.
Give me the courage to rest in you. Today.
Intentionally step away from the busyness.
Let’s become beautiful from the inside. Listening to God’s whispers.
Dare to be the beloved. Not busy
Let’s rest.
Respond. Share Your Heart
* How can you step away to be alone with God and rest in your One Word?
* What are areas you need God’s rest?
* What is the One Word that speaks to you today in Jesus’ invitation to rest —
“Come away with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” Mark 6:31
Pull up a chair. Click to comment.
* Who can you share today’s encouragement with?
For more encouragement, get a copy of Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest.
#OneWordCoffee GIVEAWAY
Words Matter – LetterPress Blocks
I just made my One Word for 2016 “Beloved”. And you can build yours too! Click here to use Dayspring’s online Words Matter interactive tool.
TO ENTER:
** GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.
Winners were randomly selected. Congratulations to Joni (One Word JOY) and Melissa (One Word: Beloved)! Thank you for sharing and entering
1. Post a comment to last week’s Giveaway post.
2. Extra entry: Link up your One Word blog post (*Important: you must use the #OneWordCoffee Badge in your post.)
3. Extra entry: Share today’s Giveaway on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Leave an extra comment letting me know.
4. Extra entry: Enter by commenting and tagging friends on my Facebook or Instagram #OneWordCoffee posts.
All the extra entries help invite others to join #OneWordCoffee — Thanks for sharing!
#OneWordCoffee Link Up
Soulful Writing With Jesus — Together
This new #OneWordCoffee Wednesday series inspires us to create space in a simple way, to be present, hear God’s whispers, to be refreshed & renewed. ?
How it Works:
Every Wednesday, I’ll invite you to stop, pause, & reflect on a One Word prompt.
Then, you share how the One Word speaks to you: 1. simply post a comment (or) 2. write a blog post and link up on Wednesdays. visit the post before yours to comment and encourage. place the #OneWordCoffee badge (click here) in your post & link back (or) 3. tag photos #OneWordCoffee on Facebook or Instagram inspired by the one word.
#OneWordCoffee ☕️ A simple invitation to create a new rhythm for your soul. To stop and hear God’s whispers. And swap some stories together.
Experience this journey to be the Beloved. #OneWordCoffee with me.
Today’s 1/13/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: rest (or) What is Your One Word for 2016?
Next week’s 1/20/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: quiet (or) choose your own One Word from your journey with God.
photo credit: soulful kelly ishmael minding my nest.
43 Comments
Oh, how I need the Lord’s rest. I have been so overwhelmed and frustrated by my limits, which seem to keep narrowing as time goes on and as my pregnancy progresses (one month left!). Somehow, I just keep living the belief that if I DO more, maybe then I will feel like I am enough. But the busyness leaves me emptier than ever.
Instead, it’s almost like God is giving me these limitations as invitations to experience His grace, His strength in the areas where I am weak. I am trying to see these limits as invitations to rest, to do less and just BE. What’s interesting is I was planning on posting about this before I realized what today’s prompt would be! So I will be sharing it in the linkup 🙂
I am so intrigued by that quiet, restful place Jesus invites us to in today’s verse. And maybe just to pause and be is exactly what I need today 🙂 Thank you!
love how you listen, jordan. i wonder what your soul really longs for… follow your curiosity about quiet… i can only imagine what you’ll discover and hear.
[…] if you’ve ever needed permission to rest, I invite you to check out this post by Bonnie Gray: Dare to Be Beloved Instead of Busy: Rest. Gray’s book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace: […]
Bonnie, I am always glad to read what you share. I don’t always respond but your comments make me think. I am way past the busy mom stage. But into the “what’s next Lord” time. Beloved is an oft repeated word in the Word, which should clue us in that He has special times and events for us, if we stand still long enough to listen. I desire to listen closely, I do not want to miss His voice, and listening requires a timeout in your everyday life. Thanks for reminding us to REST.
i’m smiling, happy to enjoy this cup of #OneWordCoffee with you… thanks for pausing to share your voice on how REST speaks to you. i treasure them…
This week, I hear breathe. I think that we often get so about the business of being busy that we forget to just slow down and take a breath. I remember asking my mom how it was that grandma, who raise 10 children, grew and made all of her own food, took time for her 33 grandchildren, never seemed exhausted. Mom’s answer was that she knew how to sit down. And there in is the answer, take a breath, take a minute, take time, just take time.
“Mom’s answer was that she knew how to sit down. And there in is the answer, take a breath, take a minute, take time, just take time.” i simply love that, deborah! … there’s truth right there! and i love your one word today: breathe
I so related to this post. The disappointment in the barrenness. The panic about the crowds. The confusion that comes with both. I’m struggling with rest. It looks lazy. Yet, I long for it.
sweet kristy. not lazy at all… just being the beloved. may His whispers keep calling you to be. keep turning and returning to the one word He has for you.
thank you, bonnie, for the invitation to (always, btw) rest. I’ve in the space of: wow, nothing looks like nothing from where I stand…and then I sit, and God is all I need. re-reading The Pursuit of God–was almost too busy to pick it up again this morning- but then I did and it made all the difference as I faced the LIST of busy that needs to be checked off by dinner. (: have a restful day w/ lots of sweet, strong coffee.
books are such good prompts for us to stop and rest, aren’t they? loved how one whispered REST to you today, sue.
I think the word that spoke to me most today in the verse about rest was ‘awhile.’ That there’s no limit in the time we rest. It doesn’t say rest a minute or an hour or a day. Rest is ongoing. I’ll chew on it today and maybe crank out a post. Lovely words to think on Bonnie. And I loved hearing the story how #onewordcoffee was inspired.
so sweet how a one word spoke to you, allison. may your one word {awhile} soothe your soul, and may it prompt words to flow as you feel inspired. and you feel prompted to pause {awhile} whatever that time may…
“Awhile” is the word that catches my eye today. Maybe because I’m realizing that there are moments when I need a weekend or a day, and sometimes just a few quiet moments in the bathroom with the door closed is all I need. ?
it’s amazing how that one moment – that {awhile} when we take it can really change a moment and change how we feel. sometimes, i keep myself from takinga moment becasue i feel it has to be long or i put conditions on it. but, i’m learning to just rest {awhile} – as i feel prompted. lovely how God’s whispering {awhile} to you…
Today’s takeaway was “by yourselves.” ALONE. With Jesus. It is necessary in order to have balance in my life.
yes, i love “by yourselves” is so important for intimacy. alone. love He’s whispering so intimately to you, diane.
[…] her One Word Coffee Link Up, Bonnie Gray encourages her readers to read this verse, focus on it, and determine what draws their attention. […]
[…] This post is linked up to #OneWordCoffee: […]
Just realized I did it wrong…I wrote on the one word from the Scripture you shared that spoke to me…sorry. But thank you for this encouragement, Bonnie. It brought me to tears. The Word is so powerful and so full of Life.
Anna – that is right! write on the word that speaks to you! from the verse, from the prompt, from any moment you feel a word inspires you. Bonnie
Quiet is the word that spoke to my heart. Oh, how as I teach around 125 elementary students every day the art processes I really long for quiet time to reflect and create (my word for the year) my own art or writing. I love my job and the children but long for quiet places these days.
oh, you are special on my heart, rachelle – because you need to receive the beauty that you pour out and guide others to express. you are first! 🙂 we see Jesus – he puts his time to refill first. so he can pour out.
“Come” just “come” – I think I have to do this or that so-so before I can meet with Him sometimes, and sometimes I do need my space a certain way to be less distracted, but He has just been saying, “just come and be with me, and don’t try to figure everything out.” The part you wrote, “…rather than striving to please, belong or avoid being hurt, what is the journey God’s inviting me step out & experience with him?” hit home too. He just wants me to stop trying to make sure everyone’s okay, that I haven’t done anything to upset them, and come away with HIM! It is a great idea, the best idea for mental rest I can imagine anyways. He always has the best invitations, to the things we need right then doesn’t He? Thanks Bonnie for letting the Holy Spirit speak through you each week. I love how too, while I was reading this, it was like God was saying – in the driest, most nothingness-of–places, you can be sure I am working behind the scenes, and will get you to the Promised Land. It is always in the journey where our faith is stretched and we experience growth. Blessings to you and your household, Bonnie!
hi meghan, you’ve been on my mind and so just wanted to drop you a note and see how you’re doing… has his whisper “come” just “come” continued to touch your heart? lbessings to you!
Yes He has, and after rereading my comment I hope it didn’t come across as if I don’t care about others or how they feel. There was just a point (or rather years) of me trying to “fix” everything and everyone (with good intentions and thinking I was doing what was right); so that is where I was writing from.
God continues to pull me gently back to Him when I start to get flustered with things on my plate. I am wearing a lot of hats right now and find myself having to stop, walk to the back door and pray (away from where a kid can find me for instance). He is big and I know He has not left me alone. He is stretching me in this process though ouch!
Prayers that you are hearing from God clearly and that the way before you will be smooth – that you feel His presence strongly as you journey ahead. You are a light in our lives, keep up the good Kingdom work! 🙂
that didn’t come across at all, sweet meghan. 🙂 thnx for your encouragement. with kindred slike you, this journey is more beautiful and sweet. enjoy a restful weekend…
Hi Bonnie,
Love the word “Quiet” in this verse. I shared your post via Twitter.
Blessed rest, friend.
thnx for sharing… and being a friend in the journey of quiet. how is this new year starting out for you?
[…] at #OneWordCoffee, Thought-Provoking […]
[…] I’m linking up today with Bonnie Gray at thebonniegray.com for her #OneWordCoffee series. […]
A quiet year sounds good to me, Bonnie. 🙂 I just spent two hours having to be perfectly still and quiet for a medical scan, and actually it went by quicker than I expected. I felt like I had such a luxury of time to think and pray without feeling rushed on to “the next thing.” Praying for 2016 to be one of rest even in the midst of activities that we want/need to do.
Hi Lisa, you’ve been on my mind today. how did your medican scan go. are you okay? yes – this speaks to my heart “praying for 2016 to be one of rest, even in the midst of activities we want/need to do.” it’s encouraging to know others feel “quiet year” is good- and there is beauty in that too. reaffirming. 😉
The scan showed my gall bladder was misfunctioning, so I had surgery a week ago to remove it. It has taken several days to notice any progress from the original pain, but I am definitely seeing progress now. I can be so impatient. 🙂 Hope your week has been a good one, friend.
Here’s a crazy word to focus on: with! I want to work WITH him where he wants me, and just be WITH him, availing myself of his presence and all that includes (his strength, wisdom, guidance, etc.) As you expressed so poetically, Bonnie, “everything beautiful moves by God’s invitation.” And I would add: when I’m in close touch WITH him.
“with” – nancy, wanted to say how wonderful it is to visit with you again.. and enjoy a #OneWordCoffee together… just a note to affirm your whisper … he is WITH you. as is.;)
I struggle with getting so caught up in the busyness of my everyday life that I don’t take the time for my daily prayer and Bible study or I put it off until later in the day (I like to do it first thing in the morning) Thank you for your blog, it really touched my heart! God bless you and your family!
hi pamela, thanks for sharing a cup of #OneWordCoffee together a couple weeks ago… makes me happy knowing we can spend a little pause together… and share how God is touching our hearts. He is always with you, longingn or that time to whisper to you.
all I can say today is THANK YOU Bonnie. May Yeshua bless you abundantly. This portion was just for me it has spoken to me deeply and now I need to respond to Him. COME, this invitation was given to me a year ago, come follow ME! please pray for me because I struggle to be obedient, I feel lost..
hi reve, thank you for sharing a cup of #OneWordCoffee together. i love the word “Yeshua”. so beautiful. thanks for sharing that “come” spoke to you. you mentioned you are feeling lost… just take one whisper at a time. do you have others you can confide in when you feel lost and share your struggle? i know that helps me.knowing someone knows the specifics…
God has been calling me since last year… so the one word that immediately stood out to me was come. Come and be loved. Come and be nurtured. Come and be strengthen. Come and receive my anointing. Come! So my hearts desire for this year is to answer the call to Come.
I have been yearning to hear and see God’s voice. Little did I know that come and rest with Jesus was actually making me aware that I need to wait upon Him and be contend in His hands.
Thanks for sharing vulnerably. May you experience rest with Jesus and hear his voice of love to you today. I’m actually writing book #2 right now that will invite us all to experience more of hearing his voice. So, I can’t wait ot shar eit with you. Have you read my book #1: Finding Spiritual Whitespace? I think you’ll enjoy it. It’s about taking the journey to find rest. 🙂