Getting Away…

Posted on September 8, 2009
Filed Under Personal |

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

One of the amazing things about the fact that God became a man is that he really did “become a man”. Phillipians 2 says that Jesus “made himself nothing…being made in human likeness.” He “humbled himself” when he became flesh.

Among the myriad of reasons for God doing this is the fact that it was the only way Jesus could truly become an example for us. And one of the great examples is found in this little, tucked-away phrase that Luke uses to describe something phenomenal about Jesus: he would OFTEN withdraw to LONELY places to PRAY.

I am so thankful that we have these “human” examples that Jesus gave to us. If Jesus had retained only His Divine nature, then he could not have been a true example for us. He became tired. He became hungry. He bled when he was scourged. He felt the pain of the whip and he felt the pain of rejection. He wept. He slept. He was tempted just as we are.

And He prayed.

Why? Because He had come to earth in the form of a man. Once, when Jesus was praying, He said that He was saying these things for the benefit of those around Him. So, I suspect the Father and the Son can communicate in other ways. I don’t think we know what that was like in the Triune Godhead before Jesus took on flesh, but I know this: Jesus prayed and He often withdrew to lonely places to do it.

This seems to be a great example to follow.

And…I know how special those times are for me when I do. Unfortunately, it isn’t “often”. If Luke were writing of me, it would be: “he SELDOM withdrew to lonely places to pray”.

How sad.

I do get away…it is just unfortunate that it is so infrequent. I pray…a lot…but very few times do I “withdraw” to a lonely place to do so.

Maybe it’s because it takes too much time…it’s inconvenient…or maybe because deep down inside I think it just doesn’t really seem necessary.

I do so, however, on special occasions…usually when I have big decisions to make or when something is pressing in on me so hard that I need extended time.

I did that recently…and it was amazing. (Why don’t I do this “often”?!!!)

I withdrew into the mountains. The meadows are especially beautiful this year. They are full of wild flowers. The air was clear and clean. The skies deep blue as only it can be in the high altitudes of the Rockies. There is something special about being in a lonely place…just you and God.

But you or I don’t need to have isolated mountain meadows or a rocky ledge back in the recesses of the national forest to “withdraw to a lonely place”.

I’m sure we all can find them closer by. It just seems to me that if Jesus did it…and did it “often”, then we should do so as well.

Excuse me…I need to get in my truck and find a special place! :)

Comments

14 Responses to “Getting Away…”

  1. Reece on September 8th, 2009 9:25 pm

    To begin, I’d like to thank you, Del, for posting these blogs and this on in particular. It’s refreshing to gain perception of God and his scripture through a strong believer’s eyes. I pray often that God would help me see things the way He does, and not how I tend to.

    After reading this blog about ‘Getting Away..’ as Jesus did, an understanding was rekindled within me. One will often notice multiple places in scripture where God appears or speaks to someone in solitude. The passage that came to mind for me was 1 Kings Chapter 19. Elijah went into the solitude of the mountains and witnessed a great many wonders, but did not find God within them. Yet, within the stillness, a whisper came to him, and it was there he found God’s presence and heard His voice.

    The understanding which burns within me came from the question ‘why?’ Why did these Biblical characters seek solitude to have a personal encounter with the Living God? Though I do not have a full answer for this, I feel I do know in part. God is with us and speaks to us everyday, yet we seldom acknowledge Him. We pray that He speaks louder so we may hear Him, but isn’t that a little selfish? Notice that people such as Jesus, Elijah, and others did not pray this prayer we do, but quieted their lives to better hear God’s already present voice.

    Psalms 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God.” I believe it is when we quiet our lives and acknowledge God’s presence that His voice becomes clear to us. When you speak to someone intimately; do you shout at them from the streets, or do you speak tenderly, wrapped in each other’s love?

  2. Tony on September 9th, 2009 8:13 am

    We need to be careful not to let various activities slowly occupy more and more of our time. It seems that Satan would want to keep us busy, too busy for prayer and bible study. He will throw distractions that will take us away from God. It is so important to keep God our #1 priority, to take time to talk to Him in prayer, and to learn of Him through bible study.

  3. Tom on September 9th, 2009 10:32 am

    I didn’t “feel” like going to Bible study last night. After a day of researching job opportunities, I wanted to “check out” in front of a TV. Then God allowed me to recognize my spiritual poverty at that moment, and the need to get up and go. My time in the study — where just one other individual attended — nourished me so that I can face ongoing unemployment with hope and courage.

  4. Chris on September 11th, 2009 4:44 pm

    Del,
    Thanks for the reminder. I think my most besetting sin, in terms of a genuine walk with God, is how easily distracted I can be. God has been dealing with me a lot in that area lately and so I’ve been letting quite a few “distractions” go so that I can spend regular time with Him. And a lonely place is a probably the best place to do that.

    When I used to live in Anchorage Alaska, I was in the habit of taking LONG walks nearly every night (winter or summer) so that I could talk to the Lord and I could memorize and meditate on His Word. Those were some of the sweetest and most productive times I can remember.

    Sometimes in the winter when the sky was all lit up with the Northern Lights I felt as if God had made those just for me that night and I thanked Him for His marvels even if no one else might. Did I mention that sometimes it got to 60 below with wind chill? Now that’s a lonely place.

    I often wonder, just as you do, why I don’t do that more often now.

    Thanks Again!

  5. Ralph on September 12th, 2009 3:03 pm

    Thankyou Del, for posting this blog. It’s the fist one I’ve read and thought I’d like to respond. It’s a reminder to me of days past when I was still single and could find lots of time to go out into God’s creation and spend some real quality time with Him. I miss those times and sit here wondering how I’ve let family and job and other stuff crowd out those precious times. You’ve encouraged me to make a point to make the time for those encounters again. Thankyou.

  6. Amy on September 14th, 2009 7:49 am

    Hi Dr. Tackett - Just wanted to wish you the happiest birthday ever!!! Hope your day is a great one!
    Amy

  7. Janet on September 14th, 2009 9:31 am

    Happy Birthday, Del. Janet

  8. Stacey on September 14th, 2009 4:45 pm

    I use my ‘alone time’ constantly.

    I like to learn, but some times getting into things like “The Jesus Project” and “The Scripture Project” raises some difficult questions, although some of their writers raise interesting points about the place of religion in culture.

    Just the same, I need the repose of my alone time to strengthen my relationship with God.

  9. Shelby on September 15th, 2009 7:56 pm

    I too am so easily distracted. And isn’t it funny that the things that I allow to distract me are the marvelous gifts the Father has given me? my children, my pregnancy, my husband, my home, my friends…
    Thank you for the gentle reminder that I must pause for Him.

  10. Peggy on September 15th, 2009 8:23 pm

    Maybe it’s just me, but the word “lonely” seems to have a negative connotation. In checking it out on Webster’s, it has several definitions, the two most prominently 1) being away from humans and 2) a feeling of bleakness or desolation. Places that people think of in a “lonely” context, I seek out in earnest, because those are places where contemplation can be carried out without distraction. Unfortunately, culture of today puts a stigma on the condition of being “alone”. When I’m alone, often affords the richest opportunities to be keenly aware of the awesomeness of a constant Lord and Savior, despite all the chaos around us.

  11. Mardona on September 15th, 2009 10:38 pm

    Thanks, Del! This is my challenge area…learning to be still and quiet. I have a difficult time keeping my mind quiet and listening for Him. So much “clutter” and so many distractions in our daily lives, that sometimes you just need to get away. Being out in nature always has me in awe of God’s awesome creation. I’ve read about the prayer “grottos” that Dr. Cho’s ministry have at Prayer Mountain in Korea. Their place to “get away”, but open to everyone.

    Appreciated the comments of other posters as well. Have my third tour of TTP tomorrow…this is outstanding!

    P.S. Tom, I prayed for your current unemployment situation and that a door would open for you promptly and it will be something you enjoy. Stay positive and focused!

  12. Victoria on September 17th, 2009 1:11 am

    Luke 5:16 is one of my favorite descriptions of Jesus and his time spent in prayer. Four months ago I began waking up at 3:00 a.m. in the morning for my quiet time with the Lord. Then I run and listen to Christian music beginning at 4:00 a.m. (My worship and praise time) I stop at our church and pray at the cross. The darkness and quiet of the morning provide me the “aloneness” I need with the Lord in order to stand firm in the world throughout the day. It is a precious time when I discover discernment and the Holy Spirit breathes into my life. As believers we need to find a method of creating this time regularly in our schedule in order to truly nurture a personal relationship with Christ. Amazing things happen when one places God first!

  13. Susan on September 18th, 2009 2:43 am

    I like to think of “alone time” with Christ, as a time of solitude. To get connected with the things that are on my mind to share and pray with Jesus about. Prayer leaves me with a sense of being inspired, encouraged, being open to God’s will for me and then taking that action I need to take. Not always so easy though. Prayer is also a time to reflect, to give thanks, ask for forgiveness and healing, for the strength to press on, appreciating both joy and sorrow that we all face in our lives, to be humble, be giving of yourself for the greater good.

    I wish you all the peace that comes with being interwoven with our Heavenly Father.

    “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
    –2 Corinthians 4: 17, 18

  14. Megan on September 22nd, 2009 4:56 pm

    Thanks for the reminder! I was blessed to be literally “on the road” for an entire year of full time ministry, and then (especially in MT, SD, ID, WA and OR) I found it easy to find a “lonely” place that was often quite beautiful. Now that I’m home in the DC area, finding a place with NO PEOPLE is so difficult. Even remote parks are not that remote. I crave being able to find solace in God’s natural wonders. That is one of the reasons I am so excited about our upcoming move to Colorado!
    Thank you so much for taking time out of your ever-changing schedule to share your thoughts and spiritual journey. I think I’ll head out for a walk myself right now for some talking time with my Father…

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