“…aspire to live a tranquil life…” –1 Thessalonians 4:11
During His ministry, Jesus was a busy
guy: healing cripples, feeding multitudes, casting out demons, forgiving sins.
Huge crowds followed Him, wanting to hear His hopeful message of God’s love and
maybe witness a miracle. He frequently made it a point, though, to get away from
the crowds to recharge. Was His intent to hide from the people? Not at all. He
removed Himself physically so that He could let the Father refresh Him
spiritually.
Since we also are called to serve the
people God has put in our life, it’s good for us to take time to ‘get away from
it all’ on a regular basis – away from our routine, our phone and other devices
– and let Him refresh us. Stepping away even for a little while brings about a
surprisingly freeing feeling. There are countless ways to do this. My husband
and I have found hiking and tent camping to be the ultimate getaways! They say
that walking relieves stress, and following marked, scenic trails in the woods gives
you time to relax, reflect, and pray. Camping immerses you in the wonders of
God’s magnificent creation. You don’t
have to camp or hike a trail, though, to find this serenity. Getting away could
be as simple as unplugging and sitting in a quiet room, on your porch swing or
a park bench, or taking a walk around your neighborhood, and thanking God for your
many blessings. Getting away also could be much bigger, like going on a retreat
for a day or a weekend. No matter how you do it, the point is to step out of
your routine, free yourself from your electronics and other distractions, and
invite God to refresh you spiritually.
This doesn’t mean you run away and ignore
what’s happening in the world around you. On the contrary, when you take a step
back, you open your eyes to the world as God created it, with all its beauty
and goodness. You make room in your heart for more of God’s love so that you
can share it generously with the people you encounter each day, in your
particular circumstances:
“Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” –Romans 12:21
Strive to live in tranquility. Step
away for a bit to recharge. Frequently invite God to refresh your spirit.
“Lord, help me ‘get away’ with You so that I can serve
You in others better.”
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