“When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
I love science fiction. I get this love from my dad who at one time had a huge collection of science fiction books. I also would sit with him to watch Star Trek the original version with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy in the starring roles of Jim Kirk and Mr. Spock. I love the beginning of the show where you see the Enterprise zipping through space and hear Jim Kirk saying: “Space, the final frontier….” The implication of that statement is that all of earth’s secrets had been discovered and now space was all that was left to go out and explore all the planets in the great expanse out there in space.
Space…what a wonderful concept and that word can mean so many different things to different people and the perspective they hold. For a scientist, it is the final frontier of discovery. All that lay out there and the mysteries each plant, solar system, universe holds. For some, when we talk about space, they understand it to be an interval of time between events. Or for others, space could be the physical space we inhabit and how much room we need to move around as we do our daily chores at both work and home. For the young mom, space is something to be desired as she has very little space in any sense of the word as she cares for her children who are always there invading her space.
But for the contemplative…someone who spends time apart with God on a regular basis, space is what is needed in order to go and be alone with God. Space that is uninterrupted, quiet, solitary, peaceful and where our thoughts can center on God who created us in God’s image.
It is this kind of space that Jesus needed/craved on a regular basis as he would frequently go to a mountain to pray as he spent some alone time with God the Father. Time and space away from the clamoring crowds who wanted to be near him. Away from the disciples who had so many questions. Away from the noise that filled his mind. Away. Sounds heavenly! Actually, it must have been as he prayed.
The thing to keep in mind is that we all need to get away to this kind of space. We need time with God. It is in finding that space and setting aside time to spend with God, that we are able to connect fully with God and be refreshed. Jesus didn’t just find the space; he intentionally made space and intentionally took the time to be with his Father in heaven.
Stop and think about this: If Jesus needed time and space…why should we think we don’t need time and space too? Because the truth of the matter is not only do we need it… we need it more.
My prayer for you today is that you take time and find space to be in prayer with God. I guarantee you will be blessed when you do.
Peace,
Pastor Beth
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