06 02 08 Time Away

“A man may have many plans in his heart.
But the Lord's purpose wins out in the end.”
(Proverbs 19:21 NIrV)

We all have heard it said lately that family needs vacation time. Parents need it to relax. Kids need it for the new and fresh experiences. Teachers need it to just let go. Pastors and ministers need it to get away from the stress and worries of the 24/7 demands of leadership. Vacation not only gives us rest, but helps give us TIME AWAY to once again discern between the Lord’s purpose and our own selfish desires. It’s a time to reflect upon the past and plan our coming future.

“After he had sent them away, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.
When evening came, he was there alone.”
(Matthew 14:23 NIrV)

“On one of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray.
He spent the night praying to God.”
(Luke 6:12 NIrV)

Even Jesus desired TIME AWAY: by Himself, with certain friends, and always with His Father…ABBA. When He was facing temptations and trials in the desert, He found strength in the written Word. When He needed strength and wisdom to face the His enemies and the cross, He found it in time alone with DADDY. Once He received guidance, He did not waiver in faith, but put all doubt aside and carried out His perfect will. Things may not have seemed right to others, but Jesus trusted the Father with the outcome.

“My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy. Your faith will be put to the test. You know that when that happens it will produce in you the strength to continue. The strength to keep going must be allowed to finish its work. Then you will be all you should be. You will have everything you need. If any of you need wisdom, ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone. He doesn't find fault. But when you ask, you must believe. You must not doubt. People who doubt are like waves of the sea. The wind blows and tosses them around.” (James 1:2-6 NIrV)

Trials are not to be feared, but a welcomed challenge. As we trust God, we experience joy in knowing He goes through it all with us. Faith through trials produces spiritual strength to endure not just the present trial, but confidence to overcome future tests. As we ask and trust God to meet our needs, we must believe and follow His lead. Sometimes God will calm the storm, as the song says, but other times He will calm us and allow us to endure…all to His glory.

Jesus endured a TIME AWAY from His Father as he went through more than 33 years of testings on our behalf. He endured that trial with personal TIME AWAY in prayer and private fellowship. It’s a good example to follow.