Have A Little Talk With God

The scene looked something like this: Jesus is standing in an open area not far from a lake. Around him his disciples gather and surrounding this little group are hundreds and hundreds of people from all the villages and towns nearby. This is the end of the feeding 5,000 people story in Matthew’s Gospel. People are up and milling around as Jesus huddles with his friends. From the hum of many voices in conversation, one voice catches your attention, not because it is louder than the rest, but because there is passion and a sense of urgency. The one voice rises above the others: “I’m not asking you to do this. I am telling you to get into that boat, cross the lake and I will meet you on the other side. I will remain here for a little while.” But his friends were worried that the crowd might demand more of Jesus and because Jesus is tired from all the healing activity and because he has just learned of John the Baptizer’s murder by order of the Roman political establishment.

Jesus just wants to be alone, deeply alone with his Father. Once more the disciples say they want to stay and help Jesus through this tiring time. “No,” he responds to their unanimous declaration. “No, I insist that you use that boat and leave this place.” It’s not a request, it’s an order. The urgency heard in his insistence is because he knows that he needs to be alone with Yahweh. Too much pressure at the moment. Too much confusion. Too many uncertainties.

That describes us, too, doesn’t it? When times get very tense, everything insists on being a priority, we get tired, a little confused. What to do? Run from the chaos? Pretend it’s not real? Ignore it and maybe it will go away. No, hear the words in your heart. “I insist that you come sit with me in the quiet. Put down your bag of worries and fears, then sit down with me in the quiet. Let’s talk.”

Very good advice. Don’t rationalize your way out of it. Don’t make excuses? Don’t pretend you’ve got it under control. Just do what the Spirit tell you. A quiet place. No people around. Sit down with God and speak truth. Then listen with your brain and your heart. I’m not suggesting. I insist.