Made in His Image

Luke 5:16  

"Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."

Barbara and I were returning from a family reunion in Alabama not long ago and making our way up the interstate highway. We encountered several impatient drivers who zoomed in and out of traffic, seeking to get to their destination quickly. They put the rest of us at risk. I’m sure that was not their intention, but the result was to make us uncomfortable and vulnerable, and create a climate that raised anxiety for everyone.

I thought of the council of Richard Foster, who in his classic guide , The Celebration of Discipline, wrote, “Our adversary majors in three things: hurry, noise, and crowds .”

Think about this wisdom: the three things that stand between us and spiritual peace are hurry, noise, and crowds. There are times when we cannot avoid hurry. And times when we can not avoid noise. Nor crowds. But none of these things contribute to our peace. In fact, they are the most significant factors standing in the way of our peace.

Barbara and I had this conversation with our son and daughter in law. She said, “This is easy for you because you are retired. It’s difficult for us because we have to go to work every day and can’t control our situation.” She was right. But the truth remains that hurry prevents peace, noise inhibits peace, and crowds restrict peace.

Jesus understood that life requires a rhythm—engagement and retreat, helping and restoring. And the very thing that enables us to help adequately is the time of quiet and prayer that replenishes our spiritual resources. Our Lord withdrew for prayer and renewal. And so must we.

Keep this truth near you. Our spiritual adversary majors in hurry, noise and crowds. We must major in rest, quiet, and solitude. This is what replenishes our spirits.

Prayer:

Dear God, slow me down, quiet me down, and enable me to be alone with you so that I may be the one you intended for me to be. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Herb Sadler.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

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