A Quiet Spot
The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and what they had taught. Then Jesus said, "Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest." There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat. They left by boat for a quieter spot. Mark 6:30-32 (NLT).
The apostles must have been so very tired when they returned from preaching in surrounding villages. Their weariness was so apparent that Jesus could read it in their eyes and faces. So he told them it was time to go to a quiet spot and rest.
Each of us needs such a place - - a quiet spot of rest where no one else is. The Greek word for "quiet" is also translated with "lonely place" (NASB) or "solitary place" (NIV). The word is eremos (AIR-a-moss) and is most often translated with "wilderness." It has the idea of a desolate place in the desert where no one lives or travels.
It is the spot of inner renewal - - a lonely, quiet place where we can commune with God. We need such a place. Our world is so busy and our lives so hectic. The noise hammers our souls day after day.
The television blares; the stereo plays; the children scream; the customers complain; the pager beeps and cell phone rings. The noise that fills our world is constant. As a people, Americans have forgotten how to retreat to a desolate place to get in touch with God more deeply.
We are busy - - so very busy. We say we don't have time to be alone. We claim that our schedule won't permit it and business can't wait. So we just keep taking in the noise until our very soul is captured by it. Stress rises; worry increases; pressure mounts; burdens accumulate. We are dying inside and don't even know it.Â
We need a quiet place. We need to turn the pagers and cell phones off; abandon our computers; flee our televisions and get alone with God. We can do as the disciples did and go to a wilderness place or we can have a quiet spot right in our own homes.
My most frequent quiet spot is at my desk in my house. My family knows when they see me sitting at my computer typing with my Bible open next to me that I am communing with God. They do not disturb me, but leave me to private praise and solitary worship of my God.
I often type Insight articles or sermons with beautiful praise music coming through headphones into my ears. Michael W. Smith; Phillips, Craig and Dean; Michael Card; Steve Green and others have inspired many thoughts in my mind as their beautiful music fills my mind to mingle with the powerful word of God. Other times I sit in silence and meditate on God. I close my eyes and picture him sitting on his throne, high and lifted up. When I leave my desk my load is lighter, my mind focused, my heart freer, my attitude better.
How about you? Do you have a quiet spot? Perhaps having one in your home is impossible. If so, choose another - - but choose. If Jesus needed rest and renewal in a desolate spot, so do you. It is not a macho thing to be a man who can claim he always works. It is foolishness. It is not a woman’s claim to competency that she never stops serving. It is spiritual suicide.
Jesus said, "God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the kingdom of heaven is given to them ." Matthew 5:3 (NLT).
Indeed.