Today, we continue our series, "A Quiet Place," by exploring the importance of finding a quiet place for our spiritual health. We began by discussing how iconic slogans like "Have it your way" and "Just do it" resonate with us, but there's one slogan that truly speaks to our need: "Want to get away?" We all need to get away for our physical, emotional, and mental health, but we often overlook the necessity of getting away for our spiritual health.
Historically, even medieval peasants, who lived under constant threats of famine, disease, and warfare, took more time off than we do today. They had mandated breaks for weddings, funerals, and other community events. In contrast, modern Americans take far fewer vacation days, even when given unlimited vacation time by their employers. This lack of rest affects our overall well-being, including our spiritual health.
We need a quiet place to connect with God, free from distractions. Last week, we focused on the importance of stopping and being still, as highlighted in Psalm 46:10. Today, we add the necessity of finding a specific quiet place. We looked at Luke 5, where Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray, even amidst his busy ministry. If Jesus needed this time, how much more do we?
We also examined the story of Jesus healing a man with advanced leprosy. This man broke societal and religious norms to seek Jesus, who not only healed him but also touched him, showing profound love and compassion. This act of touching the untouchable teaches us about the importance of reaching out to messy people and not being confined by rules that hinder love and compassion.
To apply this to our lives, we need to find our own quiet places. Whether it's a silent retreat, a few minutes on the porch, or a quiet walk, we must intentionally create space to connect with God. We also introduced a giveaway for a 24-hour silent retreat at a lake house to encourage you to practice this discipline.
