Unoccupied

As I prepare to be away, Mark 6:31-32, comes to mind, “And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.”

This scene is sandwiched between busy moments of ministry. Before saying these words, the disciples came to Jesus and shared all of the successes they had in ministry. What followed was a famished crowd that met Jesus and the disciples when their boat docked. In between success in ministry and feeding the multitude, Jesus tells the disciples, “Let’s take a vacation.” There is a connection between our vocation and vacations.

First Baptist, God be praised, we’ve had a fruitful first half of the year! And though God has much more for us to do this year as we unashamedly go higher in worship, deeper in study, and wider in fellowship for far reaching impact for Christ, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment as I live out my vocation. I also sense Jesus saying, “Donna, take a vacation.”

By definition, a vacation is an extended period of leisure and recreation. It comes from a Latin word which means to be unoccupied and unoccupied is exactly what I plan to be. I am looking forward to sharing in rest, joy, sightseeing, and laughing along with Bro. Joseph and the girls. I am also looking forward to returning strengthened for ministry, because the world is hungry for the Living Bread...

Unoccupied until July 9th,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah