Taking Time To Replenish
 

Taking Time To Replenish

Luke 5:15 - “…Crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed… But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Jesus’ days were filled with counseling the confused, encouraging the disappointed, hugging children, protecting the abused, feeding the hungry, questioning false teaching, challenging the weather, crusading for justice and fair play, withstanding ridicule, teaching his staff of apostles, and loving his opponents. Increasing crowds clamored around Jesus daily.

Jesus was extremely busy. Yet, he knew the limitations of his human body and soul. He realized he needed to separate himself from the day-to-day demands. Although Jesus acknowledged the people’s tremendous need, he did not call himself “selfish” when he often withdrew to replenish his mind and spirit.

Learning to take care of ourselves is worthwhile and nurturing. Jesus did it, so can we.

Lord, help me challenge my faulty impressions of giving and loving.

If Jesus acknowledged his need to retreat and pray,

then I will permit myself to do the same.

Joan C. Webb

Really like this. It affirms my belief, if you keep giving, you need to take time to replenish. Learning to receive was difficult, I tended to fluff things off, pooh who the incident, and it took a long time to just say, "Thank you."

The prayer shows that Jesus acknowledge that He too had to go to the Source.