SOLITUDE FROM THE LORD

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. (Mark 1:35)

 In the early morning,

Shoppers line up,

Waiting , already tired.

Locks click, doors open,

A rush to grab bargains.

Searching, hunting,

Flyers in hand,

Sales! Sales! Sales!

Crowds, multitudes-

Pushing, shoving, hustling.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)

Hands reaching up

For the last item,

Snatching it away,

One hand victorious,

Other hands empty.

Waiting in long lines,

Sprawling like snakes,

Clutching prizes,

Tired, hungry, thirsty.

Is there an end?

³¹ Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” ³² So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. (Mark 6:30-32)

Hours ticking away,

Treasures dwindling,

Clerks in numbers,

Seeking customers–

More sales to capture.

The final announcement–

“Closing in ten minutes!”

Rushing to cashiers,

Exiting into the  night,

Bags heavy in both hands.

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for Him and when they came to where He was, they tried to keep Him from leaving them. (Luke 4:42)

After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. (Matthew 14:23)

 In our hurried, bustling, hustling crowd culture, the example of solitude is given by Jesus. The escape route to contemplation and communication with God is the path to peace and freedom from anxiety and societal pressure.

Solitude with God is our safe refuge.

 

 (Sharon G. Tate blog 11/26/17)  teacherforjesus.com Meditations on God’s Word