"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."
(Luke 5:16 TNIV)
This reflection is taken from the devotional book "Daily Despatch: Bible Devotions for your Working Week" by The Writing Desk 27.
This reflection leads a week of daily devotions focused on cultivating a sweet intimacy with God. Somewhat ironically, the foundation of such intimacy lies in loneliness. Although predominantly a negative state, there is a lonely that is both beautiful and necessary. It is the loneliness of withdrawing from company to find company.
In our Scripture reading, we find that Jesus often retreated to places of solitude to pray. Jesus understood the need to carve out private time with the Father: times to draw strength, receive instruction, grapple over issues and find comfort. Anybody who has deepened their relationship with God has learned that this is only possible through regular, personal time in prayer and the Word.
It is the rhythm Jesus set for life. Like Jesus, we must seek out lonely places and pray. Maybe for you it is the early hours of the morning, when the sun is rising and your household is asleep. Maybe it is the midday pause from the busyness of the day’s demands. Maybe it is resisting that trip to the gym or social event if it crowds out time with the Lord.
For ultimately, the Christian life has at its core a relationship with Jesus Christ; a relationship that is hewn only from one-to-one time in prayer and the Word. Times that transform faith from formula and tradition into powerful, personal encounters that light a life. The encounters you see punctuate the Bible.
From these places of solitude, you will discover a constant companion for your journey, a friend for your way (Proverbs 18:24). That is a good kind of lonely!
This reflection is taken from the book, 'Daily Despatch'. It commences a week of devotions on the subject of intimacy with God. To find out more, click below:
Copyright © Sharmila Meadows 2022
Scripture quotations taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 2004 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, a division of Hodder Headline ltd. All rights reserved. “TNIV” is a registered trademark of International Bible Society.
Dear Readers, do you prioritise time alone with God? Are you willing to create space in your life, to clear your diary, in order to find intimacy? Our diaries either reflect or ultimately shape our priorities and so, our hearts.