by Elizabeth Haarberg

Pulling close to Jesus

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

I was born an extrovert. In the past people provided fuel and energy for me. The closer I get to Jesus, though, I’ve become more of a hybrid. I love to be around people, learn from them and enjoy teaching and discipling them, but I get my energy from pulling inward now.

“And he 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. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.”
Mark 6:31-32

I crave the quiet and one on one time with God. This is new for me in the last few years. If I wasn’t busy in the past I didn’t know what to do with myself. Now, I go in spurts. Going away in a boat to a desolate place by myself sounds amazing!

Discerning when we need to get away from the agendas of others and the pulling of the world is a gift from God. Burnout is not part of the kingdom of God. This is why He gave himself as the living water. But to access the eternal water we need to be in God’s presence to be refilled. Learning how to refresh our body, mind and soul through the Holy Spirit is a daily practice.

Golf, vacation, and exercise aren’t enough. A lot of us are burning the candle at both ends through endless work, activities and volunteerism. A break is not enough. We need to know how to reconnect with God’s heart during the break so we can come back better than before.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado