Break Away
“Then Jesus went into a house to get away from
the crowd…” Mark 7:17, NLT
Even Jesus
needed to get away at times, to break away from the cares and concerns of the
world around Him. Not to just “escape from the world” but to take a break, to
get some rest, to be with the Father and inquire of Him.
Have you done
this lately? To get up earlier than normal; to turn off the news on the TV or
radio; to get out of your routine and spend some time with the Lord Who created
you and knows what you need?
We all need
that time. We need to break away.
I think back to
the days growing up, with eight kids in the family. For sure it was a house
full, but for the most part, we all got along, and still do to the day. Five
girls and three boys, with Dad and Mom working hard every day to keep a roof on
our heads and food on the table. It surprises me today when couples struggle to
raise one or two kids. Yes, I know it is a different time, but still, I wonder
at times where the priorities are with people. They certainly have changed.
Dad had his two
weeks of vacation the same time every year, the first two weeks in August, when
the foundry shut down (they made water pumps in Cedar Falls, Iowa) and every
worker was off. Saving up for the entire year prior, and working two
jobs to do it, Dad had enough money for us to go on camping trips, with a big tent,
and hauling all in the homemade trailer he had made to pull behind the 1960
Ford station wagon. He even painted it the same color – baby blue. Later when
we could afford a camping trailer that slept eight it was much better. Two had
to always sleep in the station wagon when we all went.
It was a fun
time. It was family time. It was time to get away and live for two weeks in
God’s creation outdoors. Campfires. S’mores. Even having a bear snatch our food
in the middle of the night happened on a Colorado family adventure.
But one thing
else I remember, the other 50 weeks of the year. My Mom would spend time
reading her Bible and praying almost every morning of the week before the rest
of us occupied her day. She would take time to be with the Lord, seek His face,
and get strength and assurance for the rest of the day. Often Christian music
on records would be playing in the phonograph (a record player, for the younger
generation who only know of MP3 technology.)
She would
wisely take time to break away.
Maybe you can’t
always get that annual vacation trip or the weekend away very often. But we all
have 24 hours in the day, and we need to spend more time with the Lord. Just as
Jesus did, our God Who became man, and yet took time to get away and spend with
His Father.
And as you give
Him time to refresh you, to encourage you, to let you know of His continuing
love and ongoing care, you just may be passing it on to others who will be
watching and later follow your example.
Be blessed as
you seek Him.
Steve Martin
Love For His People Founder
