Jesus Sneaks Off

I still remember my first day on the job at Indian Creek Christian Church. I was in my first full-time ministry. I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to take on the world. Then I sat down and realized I had no idea of what to do. In a matter of minutes, I went from excited to anxious. There was a sense of imposter syndrome setting in. What if I don't figure this out? What am I gonna do when everyone realizes I'm lost in this job? At that point, our secretary, Betty, called for me. There was someone on the phone that wanted to talk to me. On the other side of that line was a guy named Paul Waddelow. Paul was the youth minister at Unity Christian Church, and he asked if I had plans for the day. Obviously, I didn't. Paul drove out to Indian Creek, picked me up, and took me all over Harrison County. He showed all the places where teens would hang out. He took me to different businesses and introduced me to important people in the community. He bought my lunch. As a new youth minister, this was invaluable. In very short time, Paul became an early ministry mentor of mine. From that time forward, Paul and I spent a lot of time together, and we did a lot ministry together. When I wasn't sure about something, I typically called Paul. I knew that I didn't know everything, and I deeply valued his input and advice.

We all need someone like Paul in our lives, especially when it comes to our walk with Christ. Part of being a disciple is having a "discipler" in our lives. We need that someone to show us how to do the things that a disciple does. The greatest example we have is Christ. How He lived should be how we live. How He served is how we should serve. How He connected with God should be how we connect. When Jesus spent time with His Father, he would go off to a quiet place away from others. Jesus didn't try to spend time in prayer with God in the midst of the noise.

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Mark 1:35

But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Luke 5:15–16

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
Luke 6:12

It seemed wherever Jesus went, there were crowds. I can't imagine how hectic things had to feel at times. It's no wonder Jesus would look for somewhere quiet to pray. Depending on what you do for a living, days can just simply get loud. Finding five minutes of quiet can feel like a vacation, and we all know we need it. That's the crux of the situation, though. We all know we need it, but most of us never take it. We make excuses about how we're needed 24/7. I just don't have that time available. The problem with excuses is that they're just that.....excuses. We all find time during the day to watch our favorite shows, sports teams, spend time on social media, or tinker around on our hobbies. We have the time. We just typically aren't good with that time.

Jesus has some very specific instructions on what we should pray, but He's also pretty specific on how we should pray.

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:5–6

These two verses should look familiar. We'll be seeing them all week and for good reason. Jesus understands the human mind. He was human. He understands how easy it can be to get distracted. He knows how hard it is to keep focus when there's a whole lot of crazy going on around us. He also knows that His Father deserves our attention. All of it. Silence and solitude are the best ways to really get a focus on our times with God. Making sure we have deeply focused times of prayer and meditation on God's Word are vital to the disciple.

I suffer from adult ADHD, and it's nearly impossible for me to concentrate when there's ANY noise going on around me. As I write this, there are several people in the church office. People are talking, laughing, and just being loud. It's awesome to have this much life going on in the office, but I'd be lying to you if I didn't admit that it makes writing a devotional really difficult for me.

What makes us think we can really listen to God when there's a thousand other things happening around us? How can we read God's Word and really digest what it's saying if we're in constant distraction? I have a good friend who literally goes into a closet to pray, simply because it's the only place he can get away from the craziness of his family and find some silence and solitude. I'm not saying everyone should go hide in a closet to pray, but I am saying we should all find that place where we can. So where is your prayer closet? Where is that place where you can honestly focus on giving God your 100% focus and attention? It's in the quiet where we can genuinely receive God's guidance and gain strength in our walk with Him.


For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15

We don't have all the answers ourselves, but we have a savior who wants to walk through this life with us. Call on Him. Take heed to His advice. Let's do our best to emulate the way He lived, the way He served, and the way He connected with God. Let's clear out the noise and find a quiet, solitary place to hear God speak to us.