Jesus Withdrew.

This morning, one passage keeps mulling around in my soul. Twirling, fluttering, and perching upon it until I quiet myself to rest and reflect.

"...Jesus often withdrew to lonely [solitary, quiet] places and prayed..." Luke 5:16

I typed the phrase "Jesus withdrew" into Bible Gateway, to discover the Lord's heart in these matters and observe the private practices of him as such. Eighth passages match these exact words, enough to testify of his endurance of need to draw himself away to pray. He would withdraw "privately" and "again" by boat, by himself, by way of mountain. At times, he would gift himself in the presence of his companions, encompassed by the strength and stubbornness of the disciples, I'm sure clattering about their own ordeals or latest of events. But many times, and often, Jesus would withdraw by himself to solitary, quiet places to pray.

I reflect on this as I sit, bundled under covers of a king size bed, squared away from social gatherings into my quiet suite, comforted by the pillows lining my bed and the words that unravel from my hands. Books sprawl around me, waiting to be rediscovered again. All of them I've read, but they are my closest of companions, my dearest of friends. They tell me others have walked this road before, they tell me that life will win. They give me the gift of grace and they embellish on the events within.

So I withdraw these days to a quiet, solitary place. I walk these streets alone, pacing the Market, dawdling my toes in at Waterfront Park, and spreading a sheet at Isle of Palms. I withdraw myself and into myself to uncover the deepness within and learn to breathe again.

"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." Mark 1:35

~~~
Scriptural References:
Matthew 12:15 Matthew 14:13 Matthew 15:21 Mark 1:35 Mark 3:17
Luke 5:16 Luke 9:10 John 6:15 John 11:54