In order to lead a balanced Christian life, it is so important that in addition to being involved in ministry we make time to get alone with Jesus. Sadly, many Christians get so involved with the work of the church and God that they forget to make time to commune with Jesus. This practice of being too busy is not want our Lord wants from us. He wants us to spend part of our day alone with Him. Whether we call it personal devotion time or quite time in prayer we must never forget to make quality time with Jesus. I know myself, that if I am too busy with ministry and my time alone with Jesus suffers that I am just that – too busy! If you find yourself in the same situation then it’s time to re-evaluate your priorities and make time to withdraw each day to be alone with Jesus. This time alone with our Lord is super important for several reasons.
First, time alone with Jesus allows us to get fresh guidance each day from above. Too often we find ourselves working for the Lord in our own strength without clear direction from our Savior. In our quiet time with Jesus, He will speak to us and show us His direction and plans for us each day.
Second, we can suffer burnout by being so involved with “good works” that we have little time for ourselves. When we intentionally withdraw from our busy schedules we make time to recharge our batteries and what can be more rewarding than to recharge with a fresh dose of manna from above.
And third, and most important, getting alone with Jesus allows us to experience the intimacy that we both long for with each other. In reading the Scriptures the other day I noticed two verses that really caught my attention. (Luke 5:16) says: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” And (Mark 1:35) shares: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” I started to realize that if Jesus needed to often withdraw to be alone with His Father how much more do we need to withdraw to be alone with Him! As I started to search the Scriptures I began to understand how intimacy with the Lord is what brings true peace and joy to our lives; and that these cannot be obtained in any other way then just being alone with Jesus.
And how our Lord longs for us to just spend quality time with Him. Whether it’s reading a good devotion, spending time reading and meditating on the Scriptures, or praying to the Lord, the more we make quality time for Jesus the more life becomes more rewarding and full of peace and joy. If you are seeking for peace then read and practice the advice in (Isaiah 26:3): “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” In our quiet time we can focus all our attention on our Lord and watch peace just flood our souls. And when it comes to joy, (Psalm 16:11) is pivotal for we read: “…In Your presence is fullness of joy…” And the best way I know how to experience real joy is to just spend quiet time alone in the presence of Jesus.
Notice in these intimate moments it’s just you and Jesus communing, loving, and enjoying each other’s company. And remember this intentional withdrawing to be alone with Jesus is needed to restore and recharge our souls and to fill us again with overflowing peace and joy. I am reminded about the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10: “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:38-42)
In closing, I highly encourage you to carve out quality time each day to get alone with Jesus. Why not start by just telling Him how wonderful He is. Begin to thank Him for all the blessings you have. And why not just praise Him for who He is. I guarantee before you know it this practice will become the most precious and joyous part of your day.