“When we retreat to connect with Christ and those we love, we trust God to get things done through others in spite of our absence.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 23, 2021
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. Matthew 14:13
There are times when the crowds crowd in on me. I need relief—relief from the routine, relief from responsibilities, relief from relationships, or relief from the raw pain of losing a loved one. Jesus felt this intense emotion as John the Baptist, His friend and spiritual confidant, was brutally beheaded. The pain of severe loss led Him to be alone.
Are you on the edge of complete exhaustion? Is your tolerance for any more trouble at the tipping point of chronic fatigue? If so, it is time to disconnect from distractions so you can reconnect to your relationship with the Lord. You preclude coming apart emotionally and physically when you come apart relationally with your Savior Jesus.
Our private investment in solitude gives our public service sustainability. If we are always available to everyone, then we are not effective with anyone. A soul that is always exposed to the light of life is unable to discern the desperate state of hurting humanity. So we schedule time on the calendar with Christ in seclusion, and He empowers us.
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:2-3).
Your responsibilities will not rest while you rest, but trust the Lord to take care of any crisis that may arise. For you to disconnect from your duties means you prepare ahead of time to transition from your tasks while you are away. Do not be ensnared by your ego that always wants to be wanted. Let others learn what you know so you can go away and grow. We grow stale if we reject retreats, but we are energized when we engage them. Disconnect and trust Jesus.
When we retreat to reconnect, we trust God to get things done through others in spite of our absence. Your break from work and home is an opportunity for a colleague to step up and be blessed with a new opportunity to be stretched. Why keep all the challenging circumstances to yourself? Let go so others can gain invaluable experience. Once you have truly disconnected from your phone, enjoy your soul reconnecting with Christ!
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I long to disconnect from my noisy, hurried world and be still before you in listening prayer and solitude, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
What relationship or responsibility do I need to disconnect from for a season? When and where is the best place for me to reconnect with Christ?
Related Reading
2 Chronicles 15:4; Daniel 9:3; Acts 17:27; Hebrews 11:6
Worship Resource
Riley Clemmons: Keep On Hoping
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