THE UPPER ROOM ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 19th February 2023 by Jennifer Hegeman (Missouri, USA). As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
TOPIC: Invitation to Rest
TODAY’S READING
Mark 6:30-34
If an ax is dull and one doesn’t sharpen it first, then one must exert more force. It’s profitable to be skillful and wise. – Ecclesiastes 10:10 (CEB)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 19th February 2023 MESSAGE
For 28 years, I was consumed by my career as a faculty member and department chair at a local university. As with most educators, my job didn’t end when I left campus for the day. Although my husband encouraged me to take time for rest and renewal, I often worked late into the evening to prepare for the next day.
But at the start of my 29th year at the university, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Rest was no longer optional. To ensure I had adequate strength to continue serving my students and colleagues, I became more intentional about setting aside time every day to engage in restful activities, including prayer and reading scripture. I found the daily act of resting in God’s presence to be especially helpful in calming my mind, body, and soul so that I could face the next challenge.
I imagine my experience with rest is similar to what the apostles must have experienced when Jesus invited them to rest after they returned from their travels. Sometimes we do not prioritize resting in God’s presence until we experience a stressful life event. As painful as my cancer diagnosis was, it saved my life by teaching me how to rest.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father God, thank you for calling us to rest in your presence, strengthening our minds, bodies, and souls for all you have for us to do. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Learning to rest prepares me to serve God well.
PRAYER FOCUS
Someone who needs rest
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More From Jennifer Hegeman
The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More