If You Must Withdraw

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 5:15-16

Withdrawing may seem a strange subject during a global pandemic when humans are already withdrawn across the world.

But in some ways, forced physical withdrawal has fostered the opposite effect: a frenzied drawing near in non-physical ways. Texting, tweeting, Tik-Toking, You-Tubing, Zooming, and FaceTiming are at an all-time high.

But the relief digital platforms offer during a time of social distancing is quickly fading. We are physically distancing, but not truly social distancing. Social engagement is thriving, and not necessarily in healthy ways. 

Social media has become a cesspool teeming one minute with toxicity, one minute with shame, the next accusation. Occasionally a little kindness and truth are thrown in, but not enough to neutralize the poison. Even children and teens have worn out their seemingly insatiable appetites for online socializing, some closing their social media accounts or watching from a cautious distance.

Friendships have been clarified, family relationships have been strengthened or strained, depending on the moment, and community relationships find themselves tangled in the weeds of suspicion and fear of becoming sick.

Physical withdrawal has not ebbed the rise of Covid19 and it has not slowed the growth of relational issues between people.

Makes one want to withdraw further, to hide.

Perhaps there is a way to withdraw differently. To withdraw from the din, the fray, the noise, the relationships that are growing in dysfunction and find peace.

I’m not referring to the kind of withdrawal that throws in the towel, puts its head under a rock, buries itself in the sand hoping things will get better, or assumes that world problems will be solved by someone with more energy and intelligence. This sort of unhealthy distancing will not promote peace in your family, community, or nation. 

If you must withdraw, do it in pursuit of the One who is the Healer of the masses. #mentalhealth #Covid19 Share on X

His name is Jesus, and He showed us how to handle the undulation of needs, anxieties, pressures, and fears that swell around us. He often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. 

Often

Jesus often withdrew in solitude. Ward Cushman, in his blog post 6 Times When Jesus Chose Solitude Over People, (https://toeverynation.com/6-times-when-jesus-chose-solitude-over-people/) describes six different reasons Jesus chose solitude. He did it to prepare for a major task, to recharge after hard work, to process grief, before making an important decision, in times of distress, and to focus on prayer. 

Life is brimming with major tasks, hard work, grief, important decisions, distress, and needs that drive us to pour out hearts out to someone. How much better to pour it out to the only One able to heal and rebuild human hearts. Mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health merits frequent withdrawal with God to process life.

Lonely Places

I once lived with a tribe in which solitude was almost impossible. Their belief was that a person should never be left alone. To be alone was to be forsaken, unsafe, and shameful. So in the moments my introverted self most desperately wished to be alone, even in times of sickness, children and adults alike crowded into my small mud house unbidden, compelled by the cultural values they held dear.

I learned to find solitude in the early dark hours before the village woke up. It is possible to find it, even if you live among a tribe of children, rescue animals, or indigenous peoples.

Jesus withdrew to “lonely places.” The crowds clamored after Him and wondered where He went. But He chased it; He seized the solitude that He knew was the key to staying connected with His Father. In solitude He was not truly alone. He was with His Father.

If you must withdraw, seek solitude with the Father. Chase it, seize it, make it a priority.

Prayed

Jesus withdrew in order to pour out his heart and be filled again. This beautiful picture of the God who became human illustrates humanity’s need to pour out our hearts and be filled again.

We are vessels, and we are constantly being filled and poured out. Filled with fear, filled with anxiety. Filled with hope, filled with joy. Pouring out love to a hurting world.

We can choose the source of our filling.

If you must withdraw, come away with the Lord and let Him fill you with peace. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7

The result of retreating with God will be a peace that flows out of your heart into the pressing, anxious crowds surrounding you. We cannot pour out what we do not have. Pour your heart out to God and let Him fill you.

Have you had it with people? With social media? With your family, your church, your government? With a virus you can’t see but fear is everywhere?

If you must withdraw, do it with Jesus. Withdraw today to a lonely place and pray. Pour out your cares to the One who is ready to fill you with peace, wisdom, grace, and compassion. Do it often. Do it today.

Lord, I am sloshing around with so many things. Help me discipline myself to withdraw alone with you often and be filled, so I may return to the clamor and pour out peace in an anxious world. Amen.

@audreycfrank