26
Apr '18
It’s Time to Get Away (By Dan Adams)
26
Apr '18
Sometimes, when I look at our culture – and quite frankly, most of the families I know, including my own – I think we’re in the busyness business. Whether it’s because we wrestle with pleasing people, workaholism, or any other well intentioned excuse, we often find ourselves way too busy. I can’t tell you how many parents, with weary faces and maxed-out schedules, tell me they keep their kids busy just to keep them out of trouble. (I’m sorry to say, busy kids find trouble, too.)
I have to admit, I often find myself looking at my calendar like a game of Tetris, squeezing appointments and contorting my personal life to fit life’s many demands. I’m certainly not suggesting that Christians shouldn’t work hard. We should be the best workers around. I’m not suggesting we should be uninvolved. The places we go and the groups we’re involved in are our mission fields. What I am saying is, many of us are far too busy for our own good. Often times very busy with very good things. But too busy, nonetheless.
Which is why when I read Luke 5:16 today, I was very convicted. It’s the last verse of a very short story that Luke tells us, the story of Jesus healing a leper (Luke 5:12-16). After healing this man, Jesus found Himself inundated by great crowds, people who needed Him. People who needed healing. People who had legitimate and urgent needs. While we know Jesus healed the leper, we also know that He didn’t heal everyone. How did Jesus know where and when to draw the line? We’re not told, but we are told His response the overwhelming demands. “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16, NIV)
Several things have occurred to me after meditating on this verse for some time:
- Jesus didn’t roll up His sleeves and work until everyone’s needs we met. He knew His human limits as well as His purpose. Both of these helped Him draw clear and appropriate boundaries.
- This was Jesus’ pattern, not just a one-time response because He was tired or overwhelmed. He had a rhythm of getting away. Luke tells us He did this often. We see this pattern of getting away all throughout the Gospels. What a great habit for self-care and spiritual health. Sometimes we feel guilty if we get away to take care of ourselves. Self-care and spiritual-care aren’t selfish, they’re essential.
- He withdrew to lonely places (NIV), the wilderness (NASB, NLT), desolate places (ESV). When I think of getting away, I think of a lush forest and a cool breeze. Maybe you think of the beach with warm sand and the sound of crashing waves. Not Jesus. He got away to places without distraction. No people, no screens, no voices, no demands, no comfy pillows. He withdrew to places that wouldn’t lend to complacent napping. Because when He withdrew, it was for a different and definite purpose.
- He withdrew for the purpose of prayer. Don’t be fooled. Jesus didn’t get away so that He could simply put His feet up and avoid responsibility or the needs of the people. He got away to do something even more important, and in some ways, often even harder – pray.
If you’re like me, the kind of prayer we see Jesus engaged in doesn’t come naturally. If Jesus needed to carve out time and get away from distractions to focus on prayer, I’m confident we do, too. That’s one of the reasons I’m excited for our upcoming church emphasis on prayer. I hope you will join me in making the most of our “Draw the Circle: 40 Day Prayer Challenge” starting on May 13. Let’s start thinking about carving out time in our busy schedules, finding a place free from distractions, and focusing our hearts and minds on connecting with God in concentrated and united prayer.