Sabbath isn’t a legalistic burden. It’s a GIFT. A divine tool for mission. And when we ignore it, we actually cut ourselves off from the very power we need to carry the Best News to the ends of the Earth!
Amen this is such a powerful truth Jesus gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28 to go make disciples of all nations but He also showed us through His own life that this mission is fueled by intimacy with the Father Mark 1:35 tells us Very early in the morning while it was still dark Jesus got up left the house and went off to a solitary place where He prayed Before the crowds before the miracles before the mission Jesus withdrew to be alone with God This is not weakness this is wisdom
We cannot pour out unless we are first filled up John 15:5 reminds us I am the vine you are the branches whoever abides in Me and I in him he it is that bears much fruit for apart from Me you can do nothing So in the secret place we gain strength direction and love that we then take into the world to fulfill His commission May we never separate the mission from the presence May we go into all the world empowered by time spent at His feet Luke 5:16 says But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed let us do the same
This piece stirred something. It speaks to the kind of life I’ve been called to live, one that reflects Jesus not just through words, but through presence, compassion, and quiet faithfulness.
I come from a background in policy, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution. I’ve seen firsthand how broken systems and fractured communities need more than sermons; they need love that shows up. That’s how I’ve been called to reflect Jesus: by accepting people where they are, by sharing meals with non-believers, by being okay with the mess and the questions. Not because I’m compromising my faith, but because I trust Him to shine through my actions. I believe that love speaks louder than any argument.
But the truth is, people don’t always like that. They don’t understand it. I’ve been turned away, dismissed, and made to feel like there’s no room for the kind of witness I carry. And it’s not just spiritual, it’s personal.
I’ve lost access to support, been denied community, and watched my daughter be excluded from school because of systems that don’t make space for people like us.
Solitude has its place. Jesus modeled that.
But too much of it, especially when it’s not chosen, starts to reveal the cracks no one else sees. The kind that whispers maybe you don’t belong anywhere.
Still, I believe. I believe in the mission. I believe in the power of love that doesn’t need to be loud to be true. And I believe that one day, someone will see me the way He does. Until then, I’ll keep showing up. Quietly. Faithfully.
Amen this is such a powerful truth Jesus gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28 to go make disciples of all nations but He also showed us through His own life that this mission is fueled by intimacy with the Father Mark 1:35 tells us Very early in the morning while it was still dark Jesus got up left the house and went off to a solitary place where He prayed Before the crowds before the miracles before the mission Jesus withdrew to be alone with God This is not weakness this is wisdom
We cannot pour out unless we are first filled up John 15:5 reminds us I am the vine you are the branches whoever abides in Me and I in him he it is that bears much fruit for apart from Me you can do nothing So in the secret place we gain strength direction and love that we then take into the world to fulfill His commission May we never separate the mission from the presence May we go into all the world empowered by time spent at His feet Luke 5:16 says But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed let us do the same
Solitude is such powerful and overlooked spiritual discipline. Thanks for this reminder!
This piece stirred something. It speaks to the kind of life I’ve been called to live, one that reflects Jesus not just through words, but through presence, compassion, and quiet faithfulness.
I come from a background in policy, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution. I’ve seen firsthand how broken systems and fractured communities need more than sermons; they need love that shows up. That’s how I’ve been called to reflect Jesus: by accepting people where they are, by sharing meals with non-believers, by being okay with the mess and the questions. Not because I’m compromising my faith, but because I trust Him to shine through my actions. I believe that love speaks louder than any argument.
But the truth is, people don’t always like that. They don’t understand it. I’ve been turned away, dismissed, and made to feel like there’s no room for the kind of witness I carry. And it’s not just spiritual, it’s personal.
I’ve lost access to support, been denied community, and watched my daughter be excluded from school because of systems that don’t make space for people like us.
Solitude has its place. Jesus modeled that.
But too much of it, especially when it’s not chosen, starts to reveal the cracks no one else sees. The kind that whispers maybe you don’t belong anywhere.
Still, I believe. I believe in the mission. I believe in the power of love that doesn’t need to be loud to be true. And I believe that one day, someone will see me the way He does. Until then, I’ll keep showing up. Quietly. Faithfully.
Great reminder. Just returned from some solitude and feeling readier for return to mission.