This morning began a very special weekend for me. Today, I begin my annual time of coming apart with God for a time of prayer, reading, studying, and lots of listening to the Holy Spirit speak into my life. I retreat away to the mountain to find solitude with the Father.
I began doing this several years ago when a friend called and shared with me the quote of the great preacher, Vance Havner. Vance said, "Those who don't come apart will eventually come apart." Now, obviously there's a little play on words there. However, God used this small quote to speak profound truth into my daily life, as well as my desire to get alone with Him for an extended period of time to seek His face and know His heart.
Jesus set the great example in Matthew 14:23, "And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there." Seeking solitude was an important priority for Jesus. He made room in his busy schedule to be alone with the Father. Spending time with God in prayer nurtures a vital relationship and equips us to meet life's challenges and struggles.
As a pastor and spiritual leader, I have found it vital to make time on a daily basis to get alone with God, but also once a year to get away from everything "normal" to seek His face over a 4-5 day period. How can we know God's desires for us until we are willing to be still and know that He is God?
I want to challenge you to develope the discipline of spending time alone with God. It will help you grow spiritually and become more and more like Christ. Have you taken the time today to "come apart" with the Lord? Why not take that time right now? You'll be glad you did.
