Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: We All Need Quiet Time With God

"Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer, since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose power of judgment...Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and lack of harmony or proportion is more readily seen."  -Leonardo da Vinci

Yes, even Leonardo da Vinci had to find that "quiet time" where he could retreat and set things straight. I know too well how important it is to be able to find that time to collect your thoughts; and recharge physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

As a mother of five beautiful children, I can recall many times when I felt like my "spiritual life" had definitely taken a back seat in my life. We're talking the back row of the bus, here. In fact, there were many times when I'm sure that it was just along for the ride! Like most, my life isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But, with God's help, I can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'! Can I get an "Amen" here?

I would feel incredibly guilty. I knew that I shouldn't let it get to me, but it did. Naturally, I turned to my Bible when I was searching for answers. As you probably know, God has also given us plenty of good encouragement there, too. It was during one of "those" times, when I desperately need some encouraging words, that the Lord provided just what I needed. And, I found it in Mark 1:29-39.

I was reminded that even Jesus needed quiet time with God! Seriously, if we think we face a lot of pressure in life, can you imagine the pressure that Jesus must have experienced? He was faced with crowds of people every day. People that had needs. People that were hurting. As Jesus moved forward with his ministry the pressure must have grown even greater, and greater.

Likewise, the crowds must have grown bigger and bigger. We know after Jesus’ first healing experience in the temple that his reputation spread through out the countryside. That must have brought people from everywhere. The lepers, the outcast, the lame and the blind. All the hopeless of society. The surrounding press of hurting people must have been overwhelming at times.

We all have busy lives, as well. Things of the world that occupy our time and our resources. There's often a lot of demand for our time, too. We know there was also a lot of demand for Jesus’ time and attention. And because of that, even Jesus needed time alone. But what did he do when he went off by himself?

Jesus prayed. Even he needed time to speak with his father. It was important that Jesus had time alone in order for him to reconnect with his power source. It was important that Jesus be alone so that he could recharge his batteries.

You see Jesus had no power on his own. His power came directly from God. Personally, I think it was during these times of quiet prayer that Jesus replenished his power. In his human nature, Jesus felt the same emotions you and I feel.

He could feel our pain and our failure, our worries and our disappointment but he never lost faith in his Father’s love and strength. He knew he could always count on it. So, if Jesus understood how important it was to be alone with God, how can we not do that same thing?

Fortunately, Jesus offers us a model. A model of how to handle the pressures and disappointments of life. We see that Jesus was able to handle the pressures of his ministry because he had a strong prayer life. Jesus took time out of his busy schedule to talk with God.

We read in our scripture how Jesus had a habit of getting up early to spend time alone with God in a deserted place. Away from everyone and everything (Mark 1:35). He always found a time and a place to be alone with his Father. Jesus accepted God for who he was, his Father, his power source.

Wouldn't it have been wonderful to have seen Jesus pray? To see how he prayed. To see his display of love for his father. That special love between a Son and his Father. Did he pray like we do or was his prayer different? We know that the disciples wanted to know how to pray. They came right out and asked him, “Lord why don’t you teach us how to pray the way John taught his disciples how to pray” (Luke 11:1).

What did Jesus tell them? His answer was sort of surprising. Jesus said, “When you pray, go to your room and lock your door and pray to your heavenly Father in secret. He who knows what is secret will listen to you” (Matthew 6:6).

As God’s own children we are in a unique and very special position. We have the privilege of knowing that God is ready to take care of us. He’s there when we need help. He’s there when we need comfort. He’s there when we need strength. God is always there to help us through the troubles of life.

Jesus spent quiet time with his Father in order to draw upon God’s power. To bring his life back into order. We must do the same. We must spend quiet time with God in prayer to draw upon his power, to unload our worldly burden.

It's during our quiet time with God that we are able to understand what is happening in our life. And, it's during our quiet time with God, if we listen real close, we are able to hear His voice.

Scripture: James 4:8; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 46:10; 2 Timothy 2:15; Mark 1:35-37; Psalm 91:1; John 14:1

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

May your week be blessed!

Bibi