I love being around people. I love talking with friends, hearing their stories, and just sitting with a friend. Coffee is an especially wonderful way to spend time with a friend. Yet, over this semester God has reminded me of something so much more important - spending time with him.
I am not talking about what people usually refer to as "quiet time" or "devotionals" where you set aside time each day to spend with God reading his word and talking with him. I am talking about longer, less structured times where you can sit quietly and be with Jesus - talk with him without pressure about anything and everything that's on your mind. Maybe just be still in nature with him, go for a walk with him, or whatever other way that ministers to your soul.
Being much busier this semester then I was last year it has taken more effort to schedule these times in; I have often felt guilty from pulling away from people to spend more time with Jesus. Yet, Christ himself modeled this by pulling away from crowds - potential huge ministry opportunities to heal and teach people - to spend time in prayer with the Father (Luke 5:16). If I have such a model as this, it should always be a priority and privilege to spend those times with Jesus.
Besides, Christ was perfect and needed these times, how much more, then, will I.
What's also hard is when I start to feel like the people in my life are meeting my needs pretty well, and time with God feels sub-par. This is definitely a struggle for me if I spend too much time with people.
ReplyDeleteYes, Jesus' pattern was one of engagement and withdrawal. I have found that this is a good pattern for myself, as well. Maturing seems to bring new ministry challenges and a deeper need for meaningful retreats where 'deep calls to deep'. (Ps 42:)
ReplyDelete