Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away. After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone; Matt 14:22-24 (GNT)
Then Jesus sent the people away, got into a boat, and went to the territory of Magadan. Matt 15:39 GNT
Each time I read the encounter of the feeding of multitudes that our Lord Jesus performed, I never ceased to pause and to study the other activities surrounding the event. In this particular situation, what Jesus did afterwards caught my attention. In all the writings of the feeding of the multitudes, we saw that the intentionality which Jesus put into securing His private space was worthy of note. He performed the miracles of provision and feeding the multitudes because He cared for the people. Yet, while He did that, He did not forget Himself. As I study the earthly life and ministry of Jesus closely, I see that He placed so much priority on His private life because that was where He sharpened His connection with God. He did not allow the needs of ministry and the demands of the people rob Him of this purpose.
In the passages above, it seemed the people would have loved to tarry with Jesus; especially now that food was involved. They so much wanted to stay with Him but He was the one that sent them away (however, not on empty stomachs). He ministered to their needs, while He didn’t forget His own personal needs too and did not ignore it. This is very important!
The place of intimacy with God was where Jesus received strength and He did not lose sight of this as He went about His earthly ministry. He went into secluded places to pray from time to time. This connection with Heaven must be sustained and maintained for virtue to continue to flow.
In our lives as believers or ministers, we must not lose sight of where our strength lies. If there is anything the devil wants, it is to see that we lose this understanding and trade it for numerous activities at the expense of reconnecting to our recharge station. It is in the presence of God that we recharge; not in the multitude of activities nor in the midst of the crowds. Ministry to others is good and rewarding, but we should, like our Master Jesus, not lose sight of the need to always go back to draw strength from God. Our walk in the Christian faith, even if we are not in active ministry service, equally requires this strategy of sending certain things which place demands on our time, energy and attention away; in order to reconnect with God. Jesus, after sending the people away, went up a hill to pray! He needed to secure His private space for this purpose. There is a place for public prayer and another for private prayers.
In our lives as believers or ministers, we must not lose sight of where our strength lies…..May the Holy Spirit help us to order our priorities aright; placing more importance on renewing and maintaining our relationship with God.
What are those things that seem legitimate, yet, placing demands on your time; what also are those illegitimate things equally competing for your private space and intimacy with God? What are those things you should sort out in order to send away, so you may reconnect with heaven from time to time? As we move on in the year, let us do some sorting out, in order that we might send away, those things that may subtly want to take the place of our Intimacy with God.
May the Holy Spirit help us to order our priorities aright; placing more importance on renewing and maintaining our relationship with God. May we not get so distracted by the pursuit of life and success in life and ministry that we neglect our source of life and strength. May grace be poured upon us afresh as we seek God more and more. Amen!
©Funmi Adebayo