The Pastor’s Pen

“Jesus withdrew to a Deserted Place”

              In the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we hear this phrase many times. Sometimes we hear the “deserted” part as, “desert,” “wild” or “wilderness.” The point is that Jesus would try to get away by himself or sometimes with just a few close followers. The place didn’t need to be a lake, or a mountain, or a park. What mattered was that Jesus needed some quiet and solitude. He needed a break from what he had been doing, where he had been doing it, and those with whom he’d been doing the doing. I’ve been pastoring in small towns in Maine and New Hampshire for 22 years. I think if I read the gospels aloud on Sunday and said that, “Jesus got away to camp,” or “the lake,” or “the ocean,” or “the mountains,” parishioners and visitors would know and understand what I mean, and also what the gospels are saying. We all need time to regroup, to connect with nature, to recenter ourselves, to pause, or as the Psalmist might say, “Be still and know that God is.” While many of us are in our retirement years, not all of us are. But we all need time to recharge whether we work, go to school, volunteer, or whatever.

Some people like to say that, “A change is as good as a rest.” If you’re doing something different from your everyday routine this summer, remember to stop and appreciate the change, the moment. You might be at a camp or a cottage. You might be at a show or a reunion. You may be in your garden or on the golf course. What matters, we learn from Jesus, is taking the time, the break, and thanking God for the day and its blessings and even its challenges.

On Sunday’s this summer, remember to come to church for 9:30 AM or if you are away, consider dropping in to some local church where you are. You might also take a Sunday off. Do it, appreciate it, and thank God.

On Wednesday evenings this summer, join us in different places for an ice cream and    fellowship times. At least three folks are hosting the outings at their own places. On July 29, we’ll meet at the church and carpool to Richardsons Farm in Boscawen.

Jesus knew the importance of retreat time, sabbath time, time away for the purpose of  recharging one’s body and soul. Whether you take your rest with BUCC or from BUCC, remember us in your prayers this summer as we shall remember you.