Facing undue pressure and a list you can’t complete? Get away!

By Dean Collins

Even if it is for a short time, it is important to get away from your work and retreat with God. And I am definitely writing to myself today, though I suspect I am not the only one who has trouble stopping to rest and recover from work and ministry activities.

 If you are the leader of a group, a business, a church, or a family, you know well the burden of leadership. The responsibility you have as a leader is 24/7 and 365 days a year. It’s a good thing it’s Leap Year this year so we all can take that day off! 

One day in the life of Jesus

In just 5 verses at the end of Luke 4, we see the busyness of a day in the life of Jesus. Just a few days earlier, Jesus had been rejected by the hometown crowd in Nazareth. Some of the religious leaders were so angry at his claims that they literally wanted to throw him off a cliff. Jesus didn’t fight or argue with the opposition; he simply moved on to another town to continue sharing the good news.

I suspect sometimes we should do the same. Instead of arguing and trying to prove a point or change someone’s mind about Jesus, we can lovingly just move along. God may choose someone else to reach those resistant to our guidance and message. And sometimes God leads people back to us at a time when we might be able to help them discover God.

 Everywhere Jesus taught and preached about the Kingdom of God, some sought him out. Some came to hear his message about the Kingdom of God, and some came out of urgency because of illness or the spiritual torture they experienced from the enemy.

 Jesus often had long days filled with long lines of people in great need of help.

On this particular day, the line of people in need of healing or to be released of their demons went well into the night. Finally, Jesus was able to leave, and he went to a desolate place.

One way to receive a soothing of spirit

I bet you have had days like that, when you gave all you had to give. To be alone and away from people and technology was truly a welcome relief. In those moments, sitting in silence with God soothes the mind and spirit. We all need time alone with Jesus, away from the noise and away from people. When we accept the invitation of Jesus described in Matthew 11, we find new strength and great relief.

 ”Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,” he said, “and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus clearly sought to receive help and strength alone with his Father. In his great love for us, he offers us the same opportunity.

 However, the very next day Jesus was sought out by the crowds again. His time alone in prayer and sleep was essential for another day teaching about his Father’s Kingdom. Here we find Jesus doing something often difficult for us to do. Jesus told the crowd he had to leave and move on to other towns and other people. 

 One mountain we eventually must leave

Sometimes we can get caught up in believing we must be there, we must, that we can’t let someone else do it, or we are responsible for everything needed in our workplace, our ministry, or our family. When we get stuck with this attitude, we may be preventing others from finding their help in Jesus instead of us!

 Years ago Amy Grant had a song called “Mountain Top.” “I’d love to live on a mountain top,” she sang, “fellowshipping with the Lord. . . . But I’ve got to come down from that mountain top To the people in the valley below.

 Jesus knew when to go away from people and when to get back to the mission his father had given him. 

 So maybe this post can remind us both to choose retreat and rest before reengaging with the assignment we have been given. We must find time to be alone with the Lord, but we must also choose to walk back to our assignments from the Lord until he either releases us of those assignments or calls us home.

Your time with God’s Word.
Luke 4:40-44 ESV

 Photo by Milan Popovic on Unsplash
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