Steal Away

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Hebrews 4 (click the link)


KEY VERSE:
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” (Hebrews 4:1-2, NIV)

REFLECTIONS:

“Come to me… and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  This is a promise that Jesus has offered us.  Rest is important to the Jesus life.  When I become absorbed in the demands of everyday, I lose my tight connection to God and begin to feel cluttered and confused.  And once I am cluttered and confused, I am little good to anyone.

A while back I enjoyed a quiet dinner with my family. I was feeling exhausted and disconnected and I sat quietly taking in the energy of the glow around the table.  I thought it was a good time.  But later Jennifer scolded me.  She pointed out that Jed had been sharing a particular struggle that he was having and looking for some advice and that I had sat withholding and silent.  She was right.  In a numb-minded stupor, I had missed a key moment without recognizing it.

The author of Hebrews is warning us not to let our disbelief or lack of faith prevent us from receiving the promise of rest.  And even though it is a core need to function properly, I constantly struggle to receive it.  Instead I allow the busyness and stress of my life wear me down and keep me distracted.

My heroes were all disciplined men who regularly practiced the art of solitude. Major Dick Winters, the legendary World War II leader, Woodrow Call, the fictional retired Texas Ranger in Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove, and Jesus (e.g. Mark 1:35, Luke 4:42) would all steal away in order to reflect and quietly consider their mission ahead.

The key for me is making time for solitude.  I have to get away from the noise and the flashing lights.  I need to be out in a quiet place running or riding or walking down a trail.  My mind relaxes and clarity comes.  Clutter melts away like the ice on a Minnesota lake in springtime and solutions to problems float to the surface.  And I realize how good God has been to me.  My heart surges toward Him and I long to serve Him well and then my thoughts turn to how I might become a better man.

MY COMMITMENT:

I commit to purposefully schedule time to steal away so that I might refresh my mind and spirit in order to be the best servant that I can be.

WHO AM I?

I am Guy Draper.  When my family is gone and no one is watching, I pull out my Band of Brothers DVDs from their secret hiding place and I watch them over and over.  By the time my family returns, I am ready to conquer the world.