Deuteronomy 15-18, Psalm 115, Luke 9
Can you remember the last time you were alone? No, I am not talking about being by yourself; I am talking about being alone. Just you and your thoughts. Unless you are intentional about it, it happens less often than you think. Not because we don’t have the opportunity but because we extinguish the opportunity. That means when we find ourselves alone, we do everything possible not to be alone. Think television, the internet, social media, and maybe even alcohol. If I am honest, being alone terrifies me. But Jesus sought it out.
Jesus sought out alone time. A closer look through Luke 9 is surprising to see. Starting in verse 9, “he slipped quietly away” (NLT). Verse 18 explains that Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. He even took advantage of being alone while the others were sleeping (V32.) Clearly, Jesus understood the need to recharge. We all do. But Jesus wasn’t about “time off.” He didn’t want to be alone. He wanted to be alone with God. And that is even more terrifying than being alone.
As CS Lewis writes in The Lion, in The witch and the Wardrobe, “Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…” safe?” said Mr. Beaver … “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
You see, something happens when we are in the presence of the King. Respect and humility are only part of it. When you get alone with God, he will change you. Problem is you may not want to change. Or, maybe God wants to change you a lot, and you’re only willing to change a little. Perhaps, you are not willing to change at all? There is a simple solution to all of those. Don’t get alone with God.
Of course, that is no answer. To give up Jesus is to give up life. But, if we are to live fully, we must make time to be with him. The results will be unmistakable, just like Jesus. As he prayed, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white (v29).