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Day 28: The Cycle of the Intimate (SoS 1:4b)

 "Draw me away! We will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you." Song of Songs 1:4

Mark 6:7-12 documents Jesus sending His disciples out two by two on a missionary journey. He gave them authority and power over evil spirits as He gave them the task of proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom. They did as He instructed. They preached repentance, anointed and healed many who were sick, and cast out demons.

When they returned they reported all they had done and taught; the miracles, the signs, the souls saved. You can imagine how ecstatic they were to do the very things they had seen Jesus do. How exciting it was to command a demon to come out and it obeyed. I can imagine how proud Jesus was. For Him, it was a small glimpse into a future when we will do the same things in His name.
In answer to their report in verses 31 and 32 of Mark 6, Jesus said:

"..." Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile."... So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone." (NLT)
This passage is a beautiful example of running after Jesus in service and being drawn away by Him. After the disciples had followed Jesus' example of ministry, they retreated with Him to a quiet place.

Likewise, we are required to do the same things they did in this passage, but sometimes we don't get away with Him after all the exploits. The joy derived from service can be so addicting that we're tempted to neglect Jesus' drawing. It's because we live in a world where we're expected to perform and we sometimes forget Jesus does not require the same of us.

Running after Jesus is exhausting. We can't do it with our human strength. According to Galatians 5:17, the flesh constantly battles against the spirit. We must cultivate the habit of spending time with Him by ourselves. In Jesus' presence alone with Him in secluded places where we fellowship with Him, is where we replenish our strength. This allows us to go back into the world and run effectively.

We must be intentional about our times with Jesus both scheduled and spontaneous. We must respond when He draws. We must eliminate all distractions and be present in the moment when we're with Him.

The two components of intimacy with Jesus: being drawn and running after Him is a cycle we must constantly repeat, or else we risk running out of steam in our pursuit of Him. It is the secret place that drives our service and ministry to God. We fuel our desire by running after Him. We fuel our service by responding when He draws us away. We can't do without both.

PRAY WITH ME:
I pray that you will replenish my strength and restore my joy to run after you. Please grant me the insight to recognize seasons of drawing and seasons of running, and to effortlessly balance both. Amen.

REFLECT AND ACT:
  • Are you burned out in your service to God? Have you found yourself so exhausted you don't feel the joy of service anymore and you're just going through the motions? Or you're not as effective in your work for and walk with the Lord as you used to be?
  • Plan an extended period when you can be alone to fellowship with Jesus. Make a habit of this daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly, and see how you never have to worry about burning out again.

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