A Time of Spiritual Renewal
Have you ever felt totally drained? Of course you have, we all have! You come to the end of that week when 20 unexpected problems crept in and you had to solve all of them AND mow the lawn, and you think to yourself, “I need a break!”
When we get physically exhausted we try to find time, even a few minutes, so that we can relax and find some peace in life. Perhaps you like a nap, a good book, or just some time to enjoy being with family. After we have taken time to relax and regain our bearings, then we feel refreshed and ready to take on whatever is going to come next.
It’s easy for us to know when we are physically exhausted. Our various limbs begin aching and we get queasy. That tells us to stop what we’re doing and go get some water and take a break. It’s not always so easy, however, to realize when we are spiritually exhausted.
Every day we are accosted by the things that tempt us, and if we don’t take time to refresh our soul, we can easily become exhausted. Jesus knew the value of time alone with God with the purpose of spiritual renewal. We see Him on several occasions going away by Himself, or taking a small group with Him, to be spiritually refreshed by a time of prayer and a renewal of His spiritual mindset. One of those times comes in Matthew 14, just after Jesus heard about the death of John the Baptizer. Jesus withdrew in a boat to a secluded place to be by Himself, and after healing the crowds who followed Him, sent them away so that He could pray to God until evening (Matthew 14:13-23).
Jesus needed a time of spiritual renewal with God. He went away from everyone else, and found a secluded place to be with God, away from the distractions of life and the world. After these times of renewal, Jesus was ready to face the challenges of living a godly life.
We need times of spiritual renewal to be able to face the challenges of life and godliness. This is one of the primary reasons we take a week in the summer to go to Sierra Bible Camp. We do not go to be physically rested. Those who have attended in the past know about the physical exhaustion that accompanies the activities of Bible camp. The late nights, early mornings, and full days make for a physically exhausting week.
No, we do not go to camp to take a physical rest. We go to this secluded and peaceful place to be spiritually renewed, to take time in prayer and song to God, to learn His Word, and to renew our bond with the God we serve. If you feel the weight of the world pressing in on you and you need a time to refocus your life, I encourage you to take the week of June 22-29 as a time of spiritual renewal. Go ahead, you’ve earned it.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. –Psalm 51:10
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