This morning, I am experiencing something that I haven’t had in a LONG TIME – I’m enjoying some “quiet time.” This time of year, I typically leave for work “in the dark” and get home from work “in the dark.” I go “90 to nothing” all day long, come home and eat a little something before falling asleep in my recliner. I’m never “alone,” and it’s definitely “never quiet!” lol But this morning, I’ve got the Christmas tree lights on, and I’m just sitting here enjoying “the quiet.” I think that we, as a society, have forgotten the importance and the need for “quiet.” Have you noticed that “all” children’s toys make noise? Even books today have buttons that you can push for “sound effects.” Some people have a TV in every room – they may not be watching it, but it’s on for the “background noise.” Are we afraid to be “alone with our thoughts?”
Jesus knew the value of separating Himself. Before He started His ministry, He spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness, praying – and afterwards He was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). He also spent the night praying before choosing His twelve apostles (Luke 6:12-13). Yes, before we have a major decision or work to do, we need to spend some quiet time alone in prayer. After feeding the five thousand with the young lad’s five loaves and two fishes, He encouraged His disciples to get in their the ship while He sent away the people. He then “departed into a mountain to pray” (Mark 6:45-46). They all basically needed their “batteries charged.” Jesus did this often as His fame went abroad and the multitudes grew. “He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Luke 5:16). It’s difficult to be “needed” all of the time. When Jesus heard about the death of His beloved cousin, John, the Baptizer, He “departed thence by ship into a desert place apart” (Matthew 14:13). He needed “quiet time” to grieve. Finally, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He left Peter, James, and John and “went a little farther, and tell on His face to pray, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). He was anxious about what was about to happen, and He needed some “quiet time” to pray and prepare. I’ve always thought that one of the saddest questions in God’s Word is found in Matthew 26:40. After instructing His three close friends to sit and wait on Him while He went further into the garden to pray, He comes back to find them asleep, and asks Peter, “What, could you not watch with me one hour?”
So, today – I challenge you to turn all of your “noise makers” off and spend a few minutes enjoying “the quiet.” Spend some time in God’s Word. Meditate on your favorite scripture. Pray. Oh, how we are all “simply blessed.” Courtney
Very good!!