The Hide Away
““Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.””
The brilliant blood orange sun began its daily descent, casting shadows of blue, lavender and pink across the afternoon sky. It’s glistening rays kissed the water’s surface, creating a mirror of the heavenly display. Awe overwhelmed my soul as our vehicle skillfully looped around each turn on the winding cliff side road. A single question occupied my thoughts, “Lord, why did you bring me here?”
It was an impromptu trip, and with just a few hours notice I agreed to the two day excursion, not knowing that it would become a 10 day sabbatical, tucked away in the mountainous terrain of the Hudson Valley. As the days passed, I quickly realized that what I initially perceived as a quick weekend getaway, was actually God deliberately halting my life to meet with me. It was a time of seclusion and quiet that offered a unique opportunity to take my eyes off of the tasks and strivings of my day to day life. For ten days I was able to focus solely on God. In the end, this break yielded much more fruit than I could have imagined.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
- Matthew 11:28-30
Friend, we were all born with a deficit; a space within our hearts that longs to be filled. It’s not a vacancy that can be identified on an X-ray or scan. Rather, it is a God-shaped, God-sized hole that no one, and nothing else in this world can ever fill.
Yet still, all of us, attempt to do exactly that. We often allow the circumstances and responsibilities of this life to pull us away from the peace God has freely given to us. As a result, our hearts become burdened in a way that God never intended us to be burdened. We desperately search for fillers; a way to satisfy the vicious hunger and craving of our souls. We travel, enter relationships, pursue accolades, and success, all the while seeking out a life that will bring true fulfillment; a life that will provide rest.
Here’s the unfiltered truth, there is no amount of success, money, accolades, sex, friendships, romantic relationships, or material items that will fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts. There is only one cure for the internal restlessness we experience in this life; Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life. The Living Water. The One whom, once we eat and drink from we will hunger and thirst no more. He alone can restore our weary, world-worn souls. However, that process requires intentional time in His presence. It requires intimacy, and intimacy is predicated by intentionality and discipline.
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
- Mark 6:31 NIV
Beloved, God knows exactly what you and I need and in His knowledge He calls us to find rest in Him. You may not be able to halt your everyday routine and take a trip, but today I encourage you to sneak away with God in whatever way you can. Plan a solo date and take your Bible along. Take a 20 minute prayer walk. Turn away from your distractions, meet with Him and wait for Him to speak. Sit in the presence of God and allow Him to renew you. Allow Him to pour more of who He is into your vessel. Enter into the rest that God offers those of us who abide in Him.
Create a hide away with Jesus, I promise He’s already there waiting for you.
Prayer of Salvation
"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
- Romans 10:9 NIV
None of us are perfect and sometimes we lose our way. Thankfully, God is gentle, merciful, faithful, and always willing to forgive us if we repent. Perhaps you are in a season where are you are experiencing distance from God. Maybe you’ve returned to your former ways of being. Or maybe you’ve never known him at all.
Today, God is asking you to return to Him and promising that he will accept you wholeheartedly. If you fit into this category, then I invite you to pray the prayer of salvation below. It is a verbal compassion that you believe Jesus is the son of God and you are asking him to wash away your sins and accept you into his kingdom, it is the acknowledgment that from this moment that you desire God to lead your life. Simply believe in your heart as you read this prayer aloud.
Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I am a sinner, and I need a savior. I’m asking You to forgive me of my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He lived, died, and was resurrected to life. I believe that You are the only God and the only way to eternal life. Today, I’m asking You to enter my heart, change my life and lead me by the power of Your Holy Spirit, from this day forward. I need you in Jesus name. Amen.
If you’ve pray this prayer for the very first time, welcome to the kingdom of heaven! The Bible says that the angels rejoice every time someone gives their heart to God. So just imagine the party in heaven, taking place on your behalf!
