Your Daily Devotional for October 26, 2006

 

October 26, 2006

 

 

Getting Away from It All

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”

 

Mark 6:31

 

 

Have you ever just wanted to get away from it all? Have the pressures of life built up in your life to the point that you needed a time of peace and quiet away from the busyness of the world? Most people have times like these! Even Jesus did! As He was preparing to die, He separated from His twelve disciples and spent time in prayer with His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. If Christ needed time alone with His Father, how much more do we need it!

 

Every year, our church has a Men and Boys’ Campout where we take our men and their sons away to the mountains of northern California. It is a time that we separate from our normal routines for preaching, prayer, dedication, and overall spiritual renewal. A tradition that I have had is to take a rock from the mountain and set it in my office where I can see it. This rock reminds me of the spiritual decisions I made on that mountain, and it helps keep me accountable in those areas.

 

If you have lived in this world for any length of time, you know that we all need times of renewal. As Christians, we need times of spiritual renewal. So, what do you do once you are alone with God? First, meditate on His Word. Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” 

 

Notice verse 2, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” God’s Word describes a person who delights in meditating upon God’s Word. When we step back from the schedules and appointments of this life and reflect and meditate on God’s Word, we learn to delight in God’s Word. We will become closer to Christ and will approach the Scriptures with a different attitude.

 

Next, as we are separated, we should pray. Praying seems so basic to us, yet when was the last time you sat down and spoke to God one-on-one? When was the last time you didn’t have a meeting to rush to or something to do and stepped back and opened your heart to God? God delights in talking to you personally. That’s why He calls us His children.

 

Prayer isn’t just a public show to let others know that you are fulfilling your “Christian requirements.” Prayer is talking to your Heavenly Father because He wants you to and because you want to as well. Don’t fall into the routine of reading a chapter, praying a quick prayer, and rushing off to begin another day. Give God as much time as He wants and submit yourself to His scrutinizing through His Word.

 

It is true that our lives are getting busier with each passing day. I would challenge you to take some time out of your schedule within the next few days and get away. Maybe not physically getting out of town, but stepping back from life and taking a day to reflect upon Him. Drive to a scenic spot and start reading your Bible. If no one is around, pray aloud to God. Reflect upon all that He has done for you and recommit yourself to loving and serving Him with your whole life. Choose now a time when you will separate yourself to draw closer to Him.

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