When the door closes behind, the busyness and cares of the world are left on the other side. The noise and responsibilities will still be around when one emerges from that tub, but for now it is time to simply soak in the warmth, aromas and peace. This time away from it all will restore and refresh the body and the soul. What work, demands of others and general day-to-day activities take from us, this time of quiet rest replenishes.
We are called away to similar times with our Heavenly Father. It is his desire to bring peace and relaxation in the midst of all the trials of life. We need to find times to shut the door on everything that is happening around us and simply soak in the love and the grace that has been offered to us by our loving father and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The Song of Solomon is a picture of a bride and her groom. This is also a picture of the bride of Christ who longingly awaits the return of our coming Savior. The bride acknowledges, “My beloved speaks and says to me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” (Song of Songs 2:10 AMP) God is still speaking these words today to each of His beloved followers. He desires that we enter His presence regularly. King David understood this. “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11 AMP) David knew the value of spending time alone praising God and was blessed for it. He knew how to soak in the presence of God.
Jesus set the example by regularly spending time alone with His Father. In the midst of busyness, He leaves the cares of the day behind. “And after He had dismissed the multitudes, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was still there alone.” (Matthew 14:23 AMP) Jesus not only set the example of having times away, but He offers us an invitation to do the same. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” (Matthew 11:28 AMP) When we feel the pressure of the day, we must take a moment to close the door on the world’s demands and spend time with God.
Time away with God can involve prayer, praise and Bible reading. True communication with the Lord is essential to laying aside all of the cares of life. Other times we must simply be quiet in His presence. “Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 AMP) In the stillness, as we consider His goodness, we hear His voice and are refreshed. “He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake.” (Psalm 23:3 AMP) We can rest in Him.
When we take the time to be alone with Jesus, we
come away carrying the scent of His presence. “For we are the sweet fragrance of
Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being
saved and among those who are
perishing:” (2 Corinthians 2:15 AMP) We can
emerge restored and ready to spread the fragrance of His love to others.
Refueled and revitalized, we now have the ability to spread His love to hurting
people. We can live out the promise proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah. “But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look
for, and hope in Him] shall change and
renew their strength and power;
they shall lift their wings and
mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not
be weary, they shall walk and not faint or
become tired.” (Isaiah
40:31 AMP) We will now be ready to face the challenges ahead.
Do not let the busyness and trials of this life
drain your strength. Regularly shut the door behind you and soak in the
presence of God. You will emerge refreshed and renewed.
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