Solitude and the Task Monster

“When Jesus heard what happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Matthew 14:13

“Lord, I pray that…..”

I squeezed my eyes tightly, as if to dispel the responsibilities that sat before me; to chase away their existence and sirens call. Laundry baskets full of clean clothes sat upon the table; bills to be paid, socks to fold and put away. School books sat waiting for their owners return, the time was short but the need was great. The need to sit with my Savior.

A slit appeared in one eye, gaping at what was before me, only to disappear again as my will flexed its muscles.

A battle of the wills… My spiritual side that is desperate for relationship and solitude, vs. the task monster.

Quite often, the task monster wins. Before I know it I am writing checks or checking email instead of filling the funnel that was expended with the busyness of yesterday. Sighs fill my soul, and I long for a vacation from life; and opportunity to worship and love with abandon.

Jesus knew this was necessary. He often left the crowds and His disciples to be alone, but as we see in this story from Matthew, the tasks did not go away, for as He withdrew to this solitary place – the desperate people followed Him. Foiled again! His task monster kept Him from a much needed vacation, and “He had compassion on them and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14)

“Spending time in prayer nurtures a vital relationship and equips us to meet life’s challenges and struggles.” {NIV}

Having a personal and private space for you and God is important. A place that is separate from the daily grind, somewhere that nurtures and inspires your very soul.. For each person this will look differently depending on your personality, your desires and what inspires you.

In two weeks a beautiful life is hosting a women’s conference in Romeo Michigan, and one of the workshops that I am leading deals with this topic exactly. It is called “Room for two: God & You!” Creating a space to build relationship is vital if we are to put aside the cares of the world, and the days to come. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or large even; simply a place to “get-away”.