Fall is almost over and the winter months are around the corner. This time of the year, for many of us, is spelled B-U-S-Y! You do realize that there is only 42 days until Christmas! As time marches on, with out any signs of slowing down, I keep reminding myself that it is good and wise to stop, reflect, gain strength and enjoy God’s love and presence.
Consider these verses: Mark 1:35, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Luke 6:12 “In these days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” Matthew 14:23 “And after Jesus had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone…”
Now, if there was anyone who was in demand, who had a very busy schedule and was being pulled in different directions it was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Yet despite the constant pressure of family, friends, and followers placed on His time, Jesus’ own life was marked by ongoing times of solitude. Even on the night before he would die for our sins, when His anxiety and anguish were at their peak because of the awful weight of bearing the “cup,”Jesus withdrew to the Garden of Gethsemane to pour out His heart to God the Father. In all these moments it was important and necessary for the Eternal Son of God to stop, reflect, gain strength and enjoy God’s love and presence. How much more do we need to do the same?
So, as the busy season comes upon us, I want to encourage you (and me) to not neglect your quiet time with the Lord. Spend time talking to God in prayer and allow God to talk to you from His Holy Word. Enjoying the riches of His love maybe exactly what you need this B-U-S-Y season.