Refreshment

Jesus was a busy Guy. Take Mark chapter 1, for instance. After a full workday, the sun had set.
He had retired to a home to rest for the night. Instead of being given space to recuperate from His day, the people of the city brought to Him all who were sick and demon-possessed. It says the whole city was gathered at the door of the house. He went on to heal and deliver many many people that night. If you've ever been in a situation where you are laying hands and praying for a lot of people, you know how draining it can be. It is real work!

Most of us would be inclined to sleep in the next day to rest our bodies. Not Jesus:

"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there He prayed." (Mark 1:35)

Now, there is nothing wrong with getting proper rest for our bodies. However, Jesus understood His primary need in this situation was spiritual, rather than physical, refreshment.

Jesus found His refreshment in the secret place of prayer with His Father.

Jesus, in His humanity, received everything He needed from His daily time with the Father in the secret place. Before choosing His 12 closest disciples, He spent the entire night in prayer (see Luke 6). Think of it, Jesus is the perfect, spotless Son of God. If He needed time alone with the Father, how much more do we?

The example that Jesus set for us is not a religious requirement. Time spent with God does require discipline, but it is so much more than a ritualistic hoop to jump through. Jesus' example is an invitation for us to enter into the most glorious relationship we will ever experience. I love meeting with God alone. He brings peace. He brings love. He brings empowerment. I feel His pleasure over me as I simply sit with Him.

If you have lost your passion to spend time with God, I want to invite you to re-kindle it. Ask the Holy Spirit to light a fire for Him in your heart. If you feel nothing emotionally, great! Demonstrate your commitment by making a choice. The emotions will follow. Set apart some time- 15, 30 minutes, 2 hours, whatever- to be with God alone. Grab a bible (and, for extra anointing, a cup of coffee), open it up and let God touch your heart. You schedule the appointment, He won't miss it.