Have you ever been distraught and sought a quiet place to reflect, grieve, or reenergize yourself? Have you had your quiet time disrupted by others who were seeking your attention? Are you going through such a time now? Did you know Jesus experienced a time like that?
We will all experience times when we desire to be alone in a quiet place. A loved one may have recently died. We may have lost a job unexpectedly. Perhaps a relationship has finally disintegrated to the point of separation. Then interruptions occur.
For many of us, family or friends disrupt our quiet time. They have no ill intent. In fact, if they recognize our grief or depression, they likely just want to help. Yet, sometimes, we simply need space, we need quiet time to think, and work through it in our own minds. We need time to pray and ask God to help us through the situation or make sense of what is happening.
Jesus had a time such as this. John the Baptist had been beheaded and Herod thought Jesus was John raised from the dead. Jesus knew of Herod’s acts. He wanted time to think through what was happening. He likely knew it was another key indicator and reminder of what He was to experience on the cross.
Perhaps the closest we can relate to Jesus’ situation is having a good friend have a disease that took their life and we have been diagnosed with the same disease. Knowing what someone else has experienced and believing that is going to be our future experience can take time to process and prepare ourselves for.
Jesus’s planned quiet time was interrupted by crowds of people who wanted something from Him. Our families and friends can be in need or want of something from us. We must rely on the short bit of quiet time we have with God to strengthen us until we can get a little more quiet time. We may need to look for a few moments of quiet time to continually tap into God’s strength. Finding those moments can be precious.
I pray we all recognize we need God’s strength. I pray we understand there will be disruptions. I pray each one of us will seek moments of quiet time to spend with God and use them when they occur. Ask God for strength. Seek God’s wisdom. Take advantage of quiet moments. Know there will be disruptions.
Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
Marty Pressey 