The first chapter of Mark captures the busy, productive pace of Jesus' ministry. Yet in between the dramatic actions of preaching and healing comes a quiet, but very telling, verse: "Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray" (Mark 1:35). Regardless of how busy Jesus' schedule was and how great the demands on Him were, He chose solitude to refresh and recharge. Even Jesus needed time away from the crowds.
Every close relationship spends sufficient time together and sufficient time apart. All of us need some time apart from the pressures of family life. Spending time alone is not selfish. No one can be "on duty" twenty-four hours a day for an extended period of time without becoming emotionally and physically depleted - which is never good for a close relationship. Each person needs time alone to breathe deeply and commune with God. This time should be spent doing something invigorating or relaxing. Perhaps that could be playing golf, reading a book, enjoying the beauty of nature, watching television, taking a walk, or working out at the local gym - anything that invigorates the mind and spirit. Building in time alone may require some planning and scheduling. Organizing schedules in such a way that each one has time alone is an essential ingredient to building and maintaining a marriage and happy relationship.
Take some time to pray asking God...
- To Show you the value of solitude;
- To replenish your souls.
Reflect:
Why do you think it's important for you to have time together and time apart?
What personal activities make you feel recharged and invigorated?
How can you build time into your schedules for each of you to be alone?
Consider these passages for further study on Solitude:
Mark 6:46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
Mark 1:35-39
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
What is your favorite thing you like to do in your alone time?