#BeLikeJesus - Week One - Day Three

By Central Women

Day 3: “It is Always Time to Welcome others”

There are times after a long day that I just need to rest. I do not want to be bothered. I just want to sit on my bed and relax in peace and quiet. I love being around people but there are some days where I just want to be alone.

Especially after a long day at work or just a long day in general. After a long day getting into your bed and getting into a comfortable spot can be the best thing ever.

A couple of months ago I went on a retreat with my staff and it was so much fun and so busy. Those days were the best but also long. We would go from early mornings to late nights. We learned together, worshipped together, and ate together. By the time the last day came I was so ready to go home and relax in my bed until the next day.

Once I got home in a comfortable spot ready to fall into a great sleep, I received a text. The text was asking me if I was able to go serve. In my head I so wanted to say no I am tired and leave me alone, but I knew that was not the right answer. I got out of my comfortable spot of trying to relax and said yes.

“10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him, and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing.” (Luke 9:10-11)

In this scripture Jesus was trying to seek some peace and quiet for Himself and his apostles after they had been out preaching and working miracles. Instead of telling the people to leave them alone and let them rest, He welcomed them in.

He welcomed them in and taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those who needed to be healed. Yes, Jesus and His apostles were tired and wanted to find rest, but they did not let that overcome them. They did not turn the people away but embraced them and their needs.

When we are tired it can sometimes get the best of us. Tiredness can cause us to be away from people and be closed off, but when someone reaches out to us at any moment, we should welcome them in.

• Has wanting to find rest stopped you from welcoming those in who needed you?
• Jesus was tired and wanted rest, but still welcomed in followers, how can we do the same?
• Why do you think it was important to Jesus to welcome in the followers even though He and His apostles needed rest?

Jesus,

At times we might be really exhausted and want to be alone. Give us strength to welcome in those who need us at any moment when we are trying to find rest. Do not let tiredness get the best of us when people reach out to us and need us. Let us welcome Your people in at any moment.