Time alone
We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. Acts 20:13
This scripture reminds me of the times that Jesus told His disciples to go on ahead to the next town or go ahead in the boat and I will meet you there. Except in this passage it is Paul that is telling his team to go on ahead in the ship and he would meet them at the next port. It doesn’t say why, but I know it was because he needed some quiet time to pray and talk to God about what had just happened and what was coming up next. I know this because it is what Jesus did and I find that I often need this quiet time too.
When something amazing or puzzling or even disturbing happens, I need time to process and talk to the Lord about how to handle what has just happened and get His peace about the situation. Paul had just had this amazing meeting in Troas with great preaching and great works. After the emotional roller coaster of seeing someone fall to their death and then raising them back to life, he needed this time to get with God and keep in step with His plan. Paul was always preparing his heart for what was coming up.
So now I will stress again just how valuable and necessary quiet time with God is. Not just in the morning to talk about the day and not just when you are going through trouble. If you begin to talk with Him about all the things you are processing in life, He will lead you to His peace that will propel you through your struggles to your victory. This time alone with God is the most important time to keep you on course in your purpose. It is also time invested into eternity. Every minute you spend talking with God (praying) it is counted toward eternity. It will not fade away like everything in this world does, but it will last forever. Malachi 3:16 even says that there is a book of remembrance written before God of the things we talk about Him and with Him. It is written down for all eternity.
Today I want to encourage you to once again to get alone with God each day. If Jesus and Paul needed alone time to receive grace and strength, how much more do we today? The world we live in is crazier than ever and we are bogged down with a constant barrage of media, activities and world crisis. Doesn’t it make sense that we shut down each day to hear from the One who has the wisdom and power to give us what we need to overcome? Put it on your schedule each day to sit in the presence of the One who created and saved you. He has everything you need to be successful in this world. He will give you all that you need to walk out your mission to completion.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 20:13- 16
13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.
The Daily Dose 