Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 90 – Mark 6:30-32 – A Quiet Place – Growing As Disciples
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. Mark 6:30-32 (NIV)
Withdraw
If ever I needed to withdraw to a quiet and solitary place to be with you, it is right now. Why is that? I am absolutely churning inside. I am frustrated. I am discouraged. I am disappointed. There is no doubt that my heart and mind are under attack. I feel like circumstances have conspired against me to rob me of peace and joy. There is no doubt that I am out of whack. Did I mention that I was angry? I shouldn’t be as overcome with emotion as I am. I want to shout, “This should not be happening to me!” Do I have so little margin? Do I have so little in reserve that I let what is relatively minor and inconsequential overcome my life? You are asking very good questions. Maybe you are in a little object lesson. Maybe you are going through exactly what you need. How so? What lesson do I need to learn? Answer your own questions. It is apparent that I don’t have a lot in reserve. It is obvious that I do need to withdraw from the craziness and busyness of life. In my own strength, with my own abilities I will not be able to live the life that you have called me to live. Without your help, I will not be the person you have designed me to be. It is crystal clear to me that I need to develop a regular pattern of withdrawing to a quiet and solitary place to be with you. I need to come to rest in your presence. I need to receive your instruction. I need to follow your guidance. Most importantly, I need to allow you to revive and refresh and renew my soul. You are learning a very valuable lesson. This object lesson that you are in has served you well. I’ll take that.
How often do you think you will need to withdraw from the busyness and craziness of life to meet with me? Today, that is an easy question for me to answer. I can’t go one whole day without drawing near to you. I need to remain in a close and intimate relationship with you throughout my day. That will start with meeting with you at a special time and in a sacred place so that I can hear from you. I need you to speak into my life. I will need to come to rely on you. I need to listen to you. I will need to receive all that you have for me so I can go and do whatever you ask of me as I live the life you are calling me to live. That will be very good.
Lord, I have become weary and worn out by all the busyness of my life in the world. I will withdraw to a quiet and solitary place so that I can be alone with you. Thank you that you will revive, refresh, and renew my life as I come daily to rest in your presence. Amen
Key Question… How are you developing a pattern of withdrawing from busyness to rest in the Lord’s presence?
Living It Out… Make plenty of regular opportunities to withdraw from the busyness of life to come to rest in the Lord’s presence.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will revive, refresh and renew you as you come to rest in His presence.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has revived, refreshed and renewed your life.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you withdraw to a quiet place so you can be revived, refreshed and renewed by the Lord.
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