LTM Part III – Space & Solitude

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

     I think that men have something in our hearts that needs solitude and space. Even Jesus went by himself to chill out & chat with his Father. He went out of his way to find some personal space… a time to regroup, refresh and re-center. I think alot of us take this for granted and don’t really see the value in this.

We have all these things vying for our time and energy. We get stressed, over-worked, grouchy and burnt-out. Somehow, I don’t think this is what Jesus meant when he asked us to follow him. Not to say that we should be slackers and procrastinators. But rather that we take the time to take care of ourselves. To do some spring cleaning of the soul… I know lots of people take showers on a regular basis… but how many of us ask God for spiritual cleansing daily? Do we seek out places to escape from the daily worldly presence and seek a private audience with the King? We say God is important to us… but does it show in how you act? Personally… I have a hard time answering that question, but I think it’s still a good question.

Sometimes, the best way to show consideration is to give them personal space. So the next time someone tells you they are going to play some video games… or read a fun book… or they just want to be by themselves (assuming they’re not depressed!) Instead of always assuming they are slacking or wasting time… perhaps consider that they may be “refueling” or “regrouping”.

US Tech Hiring is up?
Best Job Market in 5 yrs?
Happiness is good for your finances?!?!
Best ways to take care of the check from Uncle Sam!
Missing Girl: Found after 14 yrs!
Busting drunks…… in bars.
Star Wars meets Transformers.
Porn Addiction.
City Girl Squawk: American English 1.2
Like to argue?
Invisible Children
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Essay Contest

P.S. ah yes… I forgot to warn everyone.