T. Suzanne Eller
"After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone." Matthew 14:23 (NLT)
It was a drama-packed day. Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, was dead because a drunken king chopped off his head. Jesus tried to get away to deal with the news, but crowds of people called his name.
Heal me! Feed me!
He healed the sick. He fed over 5,000 people with a few fish and loaves of bread. These miracles caused the crowd to press in closer, to shout louder and to demand more from Him. It also caused conflict.
He's our new king!
No; he's dangerous; kill him!
Sometimes life gets complex. Many times we just keep on going even though we are pulled between the demands of the people we love – Feed me! Love me! – with those feelings festering just under the surface.
But what happens when you arrive at ground zero emotionally because of loss or pain or fatigue?
What did Jesus do? When His day was finally done, Jesus hiked into the mountains to pray. He needed strength. He needed guidance. He needed to be refreshed spiritually and physically. Jesus settled in to talk to His father.
I'll be honest. When I'm at that place, the temptation is to wrap up in my favorite blanket, turn on a mindless TV show, and veg.
But what waits for me in that alone place with God?
He knows us better than anyone else. He's willing to carry our burdens, soothe our hearts, and that prayer time becomes a shelter, an oasis where we are revived. At that point it's not about the time we spend, or even the words that we say, but what we discover when we settle in.
Prayer becomes our heavenly GPS system.
An earthly GPS system contains atomic clocks that are accurate to a billionth of a second! No matter where you are, it can find your location and give you direction.
Think about this: The God of the Universe is greater than any earthly GPS. God knows where you are, where you are headed emotionally, and how to recalculate so that you can find your way back to sanity, peace, and even to joy.
Dear Jesus, You know what it is to be emotionally and physically spent. You know what it is to hurt, to grieve, to long for quiet and peace and healing. Thank You that You understand how I feel, and that You carry my burden when it's too big for me to carry alone. I adore You. In Your Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken Your Spirit by Jennifer Rothschild
Visit Suzie’s blog today for a giveaway
For more encouragement, read The Most Important Time of My Day
P31 Woman magazine
Application Steps:
Many of you, like me, probably talk to God throughout the day. But is there a sacred place set aside for you and God?
Don't set a time limit, or make it a duty.
Settle in with Him. Close the door.
Talk to Him about your day. Praise Him for His great love.
Breathe in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Don't rush it.
Let God do His work inside of You.
Reflections:
Prayer is a spot where we go just as surely as a church sanctuary is a place. When we pray, we are going into a place built from words. Or at least it's a place where words are the parameters, the walls into which we enter. Phyllis Tickle
Power Verse:
Psalm 19:7, "The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." (NLT)
Psalm 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom trust.'" (ESV)
© 2010 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
"After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone." Matthew 14:23 (NLT)
It was a drama-packed day. Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, was dead because a drunken king chopped off his head. Jesus tried to get away to deal with the news, but crowds of people called his name.
Heal me! Feed me!
He healed the sick. He fed over 5,000 people with a few fish and loaves of bread. These miracles caused the crowd to press in closer, to shout louder and to demand more from Him. It also caused conflict.
He's our new king!
No; he's dangerous; kill him!
Sometimes life gets complex. Many times we just keep on going even though we are pulled between the demands of the people we love – Feed me! Love me! – with those feelings festering just under the surface.
But what happens when you arrive at ground zero emotionally because of loss or pain or fatigue?
What did Jesus do? When His day was finally done, Jesus hiked into the mountains to pray. He needed strength. He needed guidance. He needed to be refreshed spiritually and physically. Jesus settled in to talk to His father.
I'll be honest. When I'm at that place, the temptation is to wrap up in my favorite blanket, turn on a mindless TV show, and veg.
But what waits for me in that alone place with God?
He knows us better than anyone else. He's willing to carry our burdens, soothe our hearts, and that prayer time becomes a shelter, an oasis where we are revived. At that point it's not about the time we spend, or even the words that we say, but what we discover when we settle in.
Prayer becomes our heavenly GPS system.
An earthly GPS system contains atomic clocks that are accurate to a billionth of a second! No matter where you are, it can find your location and give you direction.
Think about this: The God of the Universe is greater than any earthly GPS. God knows where you are, where you are headed emotionally, and how to recalculate so that you can find your way back to sanity, peace, and even to joy.
Dear Jesus, You know what it is to be emotionally and physically spent. You know what it is to hurt, to grieve, to long for quiet and peace and healing. Thank You that You understand how I feel, and that You carry my burden when it's too big for me to carry alone. I adore You. In Your Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken Your Spirit by Jennifer Rothschild
Visit Suzie’s blog today for a giveaway
For more encouragement, read The Most Important Time of My Day
P31 Woman magazine
Application Steps:
Many of you, like me, probably talk to God throughout the day. But is there a sacred place set aside for you and God?
Don't set a time limit, or make it a duty.
Settle in with Him. Close the door.
Talk to Him about your day. Praise Him for His great love.
Breathe in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Don't rush it.
Let God do His work inside of You.
Reflections:
Prayer is a spot where we go just as surely as a church sanctuary is a place. When we pray, we are going into a place built from words. Or at least it's a place where words are the parameters, the walls into which we enter. Phyllis Tickle
Power Verse:
Psalm 19:7, "The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." (NLT)
Psalm 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom trust.'" (ESV)
© 2010 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Labels: Balance, God's Perspective, Overcoming, Patience, Perseverance, Prayer, Serving, Spiritual Growth, Time with God, Waiting On God
13 Comments:
Thank you very much... just what i needed . Psalm 91 caught my attention as i was going through my quiet time notes this morning and its amazing how you ended todays post with that same verse.
I asked GOD for a sign this morning during my quiet time, as I am thirsty for him and need Him to take control over my life and my marriage and I guess this is it. HE is still with me and I will dwell in HIS shelter forever and ever . Amen!!
Psalm 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom trust.'" (ESV)
Thanks so much for the daily devotions. I read them every morning. They help me start my day off on the right foot.
God Bless You All
In a relationship, we make it a point to spend time with that special someone. All too often I forget that I should be making an effort to have that time with my MOST special someone. Thanks for the reminder!!
Thank you so much for your comments this morning. My "sanctuary" this morning was in my car for the 30 mins. it takes to get to work. I turned off the radio and just had a "conversation". I didn't feel like coming to work today and asked for an attitude adjustment. Then it was as if the Holy Spirit reminded me of all that God was at work in me just within the last 2 months and I went into thanking Him for all He's done for me.
I'm taking in deep breaths now :)
Thanks Suzanne. I was in that place last night where I needed to make a choice and choice the mindless TV show. After it was over my conscience was blaring at my wrong choice. Amazing how these devotions so mirror my life sometimes. I'll make a better choice next time.
Thanks P31 for yesterday's and today's devotional. It humbles me to think how much I covet a morning, afternoon, or day to spend connecting with a best friend, but how I can become "too busy" for my real BFF, Jesus. I needed this nudge.
I have never visited this website, but somehow I was brought here today. It is truly amazing how God places His word in your life, just when you need it the most.
Thank you for such a wonderful devotion. You spoke to my heart.
I really, REALLY needed to hear this today. I'm trying to dwell on Him, not on a situation, and it's a real struggle today.
Thank you for blessing me!
I felt the touch of God through your words today. My spirit soared. Thank you!
Hey sweet ladies, I love how God reaches out to His girls just when they need it. Many of you have shared that you long for His presence. So do I! And yet it's a battle. It's crazy how I forget that in that sacred place there is strength, joy, peace, direction, stability, growth...
I appreciate all of you.
I followed up today's devo with additional info on prayer, especially when you pray and hear no answer. My mentor, Cec Murphey, stopped in to share some powerful information.
Suzie Eller
Earlier this evening I was just thinking I don't know if I have the strength for my life situation. Just felt empty and weary. Then I read your devotion and had an ah-ha moment. That was what I had missed today was some quiet time. I'm on my way now to talk to my Father. Thanks for the reminder (I don't think it was an accident I read this when I did:D)
A great reminder especially for us S.A.H.M.'s
Thank you once again.
I didn't get this in my email until yesterday evening (2/4/2010), and I thought I would read it this morning. I can not tell you how timely this is!! God has a sense of humor! I read this and Max Lucado's devotion and both are about going to God when you're weary emotionally, physically & spiritually. Thank you so much for your insight! I am blessed beyond measure knowing my God hears my prayers and is there waiting for me.
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