Into the Wild

photo by gauravonomics

My year listening to God

I watched the movie with my wife at the dollar theatre a few months ago. I liked the journey that the character took. He sought solitude to find himself. Then found himself in solitude. But hunters eventually found him alone in the end. My spouse commented how depressing the movie was to her. But in my opinion, I view the ending of the movie as a challenge to engage others now during the process of trying to find yourself rather than hope to engage others after I find myself.

Jesus sought God in solitude. He tried to center himself with His own relationship with God the Father. As God the Son, Jesus wanted communion, but people got in the way.

photo by david locke

In my readings this morning, Jesus tried to get alone with God but people were along the way. In fact, the text reads, "[Jesus] left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick (Matthew 14:13-14)."

Later on, "Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone (Matthew 14:22-23)."

photo by ingorrr

If Jesus had to make time to get alone with God, then I must follow His example. It is hard to carve out time to read the Bible and to hear from God. I learned that I must set the time and the place in order to benefit from getting the time to work. When I have set the time and the place, I have been more regular with my time reading the Bible. So, I challenge you to set the time and the place to read the Bible today for tomorrow's schedule. Then watch God come to you and speak to you from His word.

Jesus went into the wild and made time with God. So too, you and I need to go into the wild and discover our true identity in God by spending time with Him. May you experience the growing insights and direction from God by reading the Bible.