One of the platforms that I not only follow, but subscribe to, is “The Compass” by Gene Maynard! I am a part of that community because it has been life giving for me! Thank you, Gene, for all your hard work on providing guidance for missionaries like myself needing respite. And thanks for the opportunity to write on your platform!
Below is an excerpt from the article. Click the button to read it all!
The Great Commission & the Secret Place
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus was clear: our co-mission (shared purpose) is to go, baptize, teach, and make disciples. It was His final charge—the thing He said with His last breath on earth. Like a dying man’s last words to his children, it’s the MOST IMPORTANT instruction He had to impart to us as He was departing to the Father’s side.
We are called to be an incarnational people, just like our Savior. To embody the good news, to live on mission in the places we live, work, learn, and play. But here’s the thing: Jesus didn’t just keep pushing and driving. He WITHDREW - often.
“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.” - Matthew 14:23
The one man who could have chosen to keep pushing, striving, and producing modeled solitude. He didn’t just rest for His own well-being. He retreated to receive power for the task. Intimacy fueled His mission.
We don’t rest to serve ourselves. We rest to be empowered, hear clearly, love deeply, and obey fully.
Blessings to you all as you continue to balance SOLITUDE and MISSION!
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!