Luke 5:15-16 (ESV)
[15] But now even more the report
about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed
of their infirmities. [16] But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Recently in a class I’m teaching,
I recommended that pastors take a monthly personal retreat day to read, pray,
listen, worship, think, and review their plans for the upcoming month. One student
asked if that was a hard rule or if it might be done every other month. Thinking
about that, it occurs to me that the answer might lie in the reason for the
question. If the reason is, “I’m too busy to do this every month,” then the
answer might be that they may need to do it every two weeks. Busyness breeds
busyness.
Jesus’ ministry was growing. He was
preaching and healing and the crowds were growing. In Luke 5:12-13 he healed a
man of leprosy. He then told him to show himself to the priest and present the
appropriate offering, but to keep it quiet. Still the reports went out and the
crowds grew. The demand for the ministry continued to expand. Jesus’ response
was to “withdraw to desolate places and pray.”
The press of ministry busyness feeds
our egos but depletes our souls. It is time alone with the Father that renews
us, refocuses us, and enables us to be effective and discerning with the time and
opportunities we are given. Do I need to take time away every month? No, you
might need to take time away more often. Never let your sense of importance and
indispensability keep you from time alone with the Father. If you neglect this,
you will likely destroy the very ministry to which you are called.
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