Every night as I tuck my children into bed...and yes...I still tuck them in at ages 17, 12, and 10. Inevitably one of them will say, "Won't you stay just a little longer?"
Today, I sensed that same longing from God...Won't you stay a little longer. As I read Luke 5:16, "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" I literally bowed my head and waited. I had so much to do...but I sensed a call from God to remain still.
You see, in the preceding verse of Luke 5:15, I read "the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses." (NIV)
Demands...Difficulties...Stresses...And strains...all pressed in against Jesus.
Destitute...Deprived...And disadvantaged people...pressed in for His help.
But even Jesus (the Son of God) knew when enough was enough and took time away. Luke 5:16 implies Jesus withdrew often. He escaped away to lonely, isolated, places and prayed.
Today, I felt a stirring in my heart to escape. A gentle reminder from my Father to come away. Jesus understood, that in order to remain effective, He must draw away and pray. How about you?
Friends, we all have demands and difficulties...stresses and strains...sometimes the masses press in and want just one more thing...when is enough, enough? We need to recognize when it's time to withdraw (to our own lonely place) to pray.
Today, I want to encourage you to silence your to do list. Push aside your distractions. And for a few moments...respond to God's invitation to draw away with Him. He is longs to fellowship with you. To answer your questions. To share His secrets.
Psalm 25:14 says, "The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them." (NIV)
Feeling weary? Worn out? Overwhelmed? Take time to wait before the Lord.
Isaiah 40:31 says, "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)
It's never too late in the day to retreat to prayer!
Julie, you have NO idea how powerful this was in my life today. I had just been working at church . . . praying to God about feeling guilt over wanting to "withdraw" from the pushing and pulling of individuals in my life . . . I came home to read this post. In fact, when I was at church praying, I (or actually the devil) was causing me to reflect on how I long to be like Jesus and therefore I must self sacrifice at all costs. I remembered how Jesus was pulled on by the masses and how he always was there when needed. His life was complete self sacrifice. Anyway, what I failed to hear from the Holy Spirit is that JESUS WITHDREW. He MADE time and INSISTED on that time to "get away" from it all. I needed to hear that it is okay for me to feel the need to escape with the Lord and take action on my spirit telling me to "withdraw" for a while.
ReplyDeleteThis was EXACTLY what I needed today sister! Thank you for being God's voice today!!!
Blessings,
Cherie
Awesome to hear how God used this post today Cherie. Looks like we're on the same page, again today! Praying the LORD renews YOUR strength and that you find rest in His presence.
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