1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul.

Psalm 23:1-3

The lines are not clear in Matthew about what took place Tuesday and what took place Wednesday. It is quite possible that Wednesday was a “mental health day” as one of my Sunday school class called it this past week. A day to rest and prepare for the rest of the week.

My youngest daughter is fond of saying that Saturday nights are the time that “I get my head screwed on straight.” No comments about needing way more than an evening to do that in my case!! What she means, I think, is these are the moments I clear my head from whatever has been the week’s work and prepare for Sunday morning services. She is absolutely right! Each Saturday evening, immediately following dinner, I retire to my room and pour over my sermon, make any notes about what needs to take place the following morning, and altogether quiet my heart before God. Sundays are not possible for me without Saturday nights.

How much more would Jesus need, or at maybe better to say desire, quiet time before the Father to prepare body, mind, and spirit for the grueling, world changing, days ahead. And what a great reminder that work and rest go hand in hand. Even in the midst of life’s busyness and grueling demands, rest is not a necessity but a requirement to fulfill God’s will.

Do you find yourself feeling guilty for taking time to rest? Do you find yourself saying that you are “too busy” to slow down and be restored? Let Holy Wednesday remind us that it is only through taking moments of rest do we ever hope to serve God fully.