At the congregation where I preach, we are going through a daily Bible reading program. We are reading through the book of Luke and Acts. We are reading one chapter a day for 5 days. This allows us to really think about what’s being said. As I was reading today and making some videos for the reading, I looked at Luke 4 and Luke 6 again. One of the things I’ve noticed is how as Jesus continued in His ministry, how the crowds kept getting bigger and bigger.
No doubt, Jesus was a busy man. This led me to something else that I want to discuss for a moment. Jesus worked hard. In Luke 4:40 it says, “While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.”
Jesus had a busy schedule. He was very giving of His time. He was doing the work of God. Here’s something else that caught my attention. In Luke 4:42, it says, “When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them.” WOW!
Jesus worked and then He withdrew. He went often go away to a secluded place.
In Luke 5:15, it says, “But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sickness.” Again, Jesus was working.
Now notice Luke 5:16, where it says, “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”
He worked and then He withdrew. I find this fascinating. No one can say that they are busier than the Messiah was. Yet He would also know when to go to a secluded place away from the crowds. He would often slip away to pray.
I think this is a good pattern to follow. WORK…THEN…WITHDRAW. In the age we live in, it’s all about how much can we get done. It’s all about staying connected to our phones and to social media. It’s about MORE, MORE, MORE. Even when it comes to doing good things, there is wisdom when it comes to resting. There’s wisdom to say, “I need a break.” There’s wisdom to withdraw from time to time. Do you agree?
As we go through this week, most of us will be working. But let’s be sure that we go to a secluded place. Let’s be sure we go to our wilderness, where we can be alone and pray.
Some final thoughts.
- Work and then withdraw for a bit.
- Use your vacation time.
- Turn your phone off when you get home (at least for a time).
- Notice how you are feeling. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Maybe it’s time for a break.
- Notice what other people are saying about you. Here’s what I mean. Are people saying that you seem tired, disconnected, etc.? You may need to reevaluate a few things, or at least consider that they are seeing something you may not be seeing.
May God Bless You.