Building One Another

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11

Time Out Vol 1 No 9

Dear Friend,

Does your life feel increasingly busy?

Consider this moment in the ministry of Jesus with his disciples:

“For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat…”  Now, that’s busy! “And he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a desolate place and rest awhile.’” Mark 6:31*

Notice the response of Jesus to the intensity of life’s demands was not to slow down but to take time out… not slowing down but “leaving town.”

We hear calls to slow down all of the time and perhaps rightly so, however, in the midst of a very full life Jesus knew that there wasn’t any practical way to reduce the demands on him except to take the time out.

We resist the time out simply because it requires time and it feels discretionary while every other demand, activity, and pressure feels like urgent priority.

Jesus took time out with the Twelve to debrief. He took time out alone to pray. Sometimes to a remote place and sometimes just getting up very early to be alone with God.

The time out isn’t simply for “play and recreation” but for reflection and prayer. It amazing just a few moments, a few hours, a few days in a quiet place can restore your soul. “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:2

“Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before him… and after he had taken leave them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.” Mark 6:45-46

During this busy season of life, take some time out – and be refreshed with the Lord who loves you!

Joy to you – E. Stanley Ott

©Copyright 2018 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the ESV

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Discussion Questions and Show Notes:

Discussion Questions

1. How “busy” are you? A Canadian newspaper once devoted an entire section to what they called, “The Churn.” Is your life feel like a smooth flowing stream or a churning river?
2. Jesus said a fully-grown disciple becomes like the teacher. So, if Jesus took time-outs from his busy life to re-center on God his Father and to recharge his life then we also need such time-outs. What are some practical ways you can step aside from your life routine on a daily, weekly, monthly or even annual basis for a time of retreat and renewal?

Show Notes

“And he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a desolate place and rest awhile.’” Mark 6:31*

Notice the response of Jesus to the intensity of life’s demands was not to slow down but to take a time out!

We hear calls to slow down all of the time and perhaps rightly so, however, in the midst of a very full life Jesus knew that there wasn’t any practical way to reduce the demands on him except to take the time out.

Jesus took time out with the Twelve to debrief. He took time out alone to pray. Sometimes to a remote place and sometimes just getting up very early to be alone with God.

The time out isn’t simply for “play and recreation” but for reflection and prayer. It amazing just a few moments, a few hours, a few days in a quiet place can restore your soul. “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:2

“Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before him… and after he had taken leave them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.” Mark 6:45-46

During this busy season of life, take some time out – and be refreshed with the Lord who loves you!

Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World Shelly Miller

https://www.amazon.com/Rhythms-Rest-Finding-Spirit-Sabbath/dp/0764218433/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1531235751&sr=1-6&keywords=Christian+retreat

Going on Retreat: A Beginner’s Guide to the Christian Retreat ExperienceMargaret Silf

https://www.amazon.com/Going-Retreat-Beginners-Christian-Experience/dp/0829419942/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1531235563&sr=1-1&keywords=going+on+retreat

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