By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Finding a Quiet Place

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“And Jesus said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”  For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” 

Mark 6:31 English Standard Version

The disciples had just come back from an extended mission trip where they had been preaching and casting out demons and healing the sick.  When they gather together with Jesus, life becomes even more hectic with people coming and going with not even enough time to eat.  Jesus tells them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”

Does this sound like a wonderful invitation from your Lord, “Come away… and rest a while?”  Perhaps you find yourself like me in a rushed and busy schedule where my “to do” list goes on for more than a page!  People are continually coming and going all around you and you can find no place to eat a decent meal, much less rest.

In the midst of that busy-ness Jesus invites you and me to come away with him and rest a while.  Perhaps you envision some hidden get away like this Alaskan fishing lodge or a quiet cottage by the seashore.  Sometimes it is great to have a vacation away from our usual hectic patterns.

But I propose a more everyday, practical solution.  Set aside a time each day when you can be alone with Jesus in a quiet place, a prayer closet, a place to meet with Jesus in His Word and prayer.  Perhaps what you really need is not a glamorous vacation resort, but a quiet place each day to be alone with Jesus.

Perhaps you have been putting this off for a long time.  You know you should set aside a quiet time each day.  Please, please for the sake of your spiritual and emotional well being, establish that time.  Take time each day to come away with Jesus to a quiet place.  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado