Quiet and Alone

Last night I was in Matthew 14 on my journey through the Bible. In this chapter we see the death of John the Baptist described, Jesus feeding 5000, and walking on the water.  We see Peter reaching out in faith only to falter when he looked at the wind and waves around him (something I often do as well).    Before I shut the light and closed my eyes I asked myself, "Okay, what stuck out to me, what spoke to my heart from this chapter?"  And it was a few verses, almost lost in the dramatic and the miraculous, that reached out to me. 

One was vs 13, speaking of when  Jesus heard about John:  "As soon as Jesus heard the news, He left in a boat to a remote area to be alone."  The second was in vs 22-23 after feeding the 5000:  "Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake while He sent the people home.  After sending them home, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray.  Night fell while He was there alone."

Both times we see Jesus heading off on His own to pray.  First when He heard devastating news, secondly, when He had spent all day ministering to the masses.  `When He was sad, grieving, when He needed strengthening, refreshing, Jesus sought out alone time.  Time in prayer, time with the Father.  I love this picture.  Being away, being quiet, being in God's presence, seeking Him...If Jesus needed it, how much more do I! 

It is sometimes so difficult to block out the world's distractions, the to do lists, the needs or wants of those around us, the jobs, the kids, the chores.....  Jesus' compassion led Him straight back to ministering, but He needed His time alone.  He needed to be in His Father's presence. 

I know that when I keep going and going and going I start to feel overwhelmed and stressed.  I can only imagine the demands on Jesus were a hundred times worse!  And He was human, with the same physical and emotional limitations we all have.  Tiredness probably overtook Him often.  Spending time with quiet prayer was essential for Him, and for us.  I don't know about you guys, but I neglect it often....I study, I blog, I do reading, say some quick prayers...but the quiet, the solitude of time spent in God's presence just absorbing and listening is difficult.   It takes discipline, practice and determination.   Sometimes I think I don't place the importance on this practice that it deserves and that is why I neglect it. 

Lord, forgive me for not placing quiet time on the level it deserves.  Help me and all of us develop this needful practice.  There is nothing better or more beneficial than You presence!  Thank You for pointing this out! 

Start working quiet alone-ness into your schedule....even if it's only 5 minutes to start with. Perhaps read some Scripture and sit with the Lord over it.  I have a feeling we will want more of it as we begin to practice this custom.