Quiet

Today as I am writing this devotional I realized that I’m writing this as more of a journal for myself. Over the past few days I wrote: "Pray", “Ask”, and "Waiting" in that order. You are seeing a personal progression of what I’m having to practice for myself. Today’s devotional is titled “Quiet.”

Anyone that really knows me will tell you I am an introvert. I have the ability to be social, if necessary, but I would choose not to by default. Very few people that meet me would assume that to be true. As an introverted person, when I am in social situations for extended periods of time, I feel drained. I really enjoy spending time alone to think, pray, reflect, or just quiet time to be at peace to recharge.

I realize I have to be like Jesus, and find a balance between being social and spending time alone. I have a wife that will help me to practice the former, but I will default back to the latter. Throughout the Bible you will find examples of times when God wanted people to take time alone to be with Him.

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV)

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 1 Kings 19:3-5 (NIV)

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.” Exodus 24:1-2 (NIV)

Today, I want to present to you the quiet side of Jesus. Jesus was known for preaching and teaching groups, and even a multitude of people, but he also knew the importance of taking some quiet time to be one with His Father. The Bible tells us several times that Jesus spent time praying alone.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 (NIV)

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 (NIV)

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, Matthew 14:22-23(NIV)

If you find a time where you feel you are drained or weighted down, I would recommend taking some personal time alone to pray and seek God in the quiet time. It opens up the opportunity for God to speak and for you to listen.