Pursuing a Quiet Evening

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16.

There is power in sitting in the quiet with Jesus. It is good to meditate on His Word and presence. It is good to reflect on all He has pulled you through. It is good to let the moment sink into your bones and settle. To be present. To be willing. To sit in the stillness. Quiet reflection clears the clutter of the mind and helps re-direct our focus to the important. It stimulates our creativity and clarity for direction. The Gospels say that Jesus often went to solitary places to think and pray. He would often spend alone time in prayer with God after speaking to large crowds. He needed to rest and recharge in preparation for the following day. He valued His quiet time with His heavenly Father. Jesus modeled for us that we are to find our rest in God.

Evening and Morning

“It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.” Psalm 92:2.

Jesus cultivated his evenings to be full of intention. He finished the evening well, refreshed and focused for the following morning. In the book of Genesis, God separated the light from the darkness. Recently I read a devotional from Alabaster that spoke on how the book of Genesis mentions evening first and then morning (Genesis 1:5). In the Jewish tradition, the days are ordered night and then day. I knew this to be true because some of my Jewish family members begin their religious holidays, such as Passover and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) for example, at sunset. By that structure, we would not start the day rushing out of the door in the morning. The day would begin at sunset with rest. That idea of pursuing quiet time in the afternoon with the Lord stuck with me. What if I chased God the way I chased earthly things to soothe me at the end of a long day? I have always been a fan of starting the day well with a cup of coffee in hand and my prayer journal, but I am learning that ending well is just as important.

Prayer First

“Jesus went out to a mountain side to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him.” Luke 6:12-13.

Notice in Luke 6:12 that Jesus prayed first, then took a course of action. He first came to His Father in prayer, then made a decision. This models for us how we are to approach situations in our lives, choosing prayer as our first option rather than our last. It’s easier to make better decisions when you have guidance from the ultimate Counselor rather than rash choices made in the heat of the moment. Spending alone time with God is not just comforting, but necessary.

Solitude is Essential

I have found that solitude is such an essential part of relationship with God. Quiet time with the Lord deepens and grows our relationship with Him. Not to be confused with loneliness, solitude is seeking out quiet time to recharge. It's not because you feel alone, but you desire to be alone to rest in His presence. It is good for us to be still in His presence and meditate on the grandness of His works. It anchors us, recalling to our mind His faithful presence. Psalm 34:4 calls us to delight in the Lord. We do that by spending time in His Word and in His presence, delighting in the consistency of His character.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

How easy it is to slip into giving attention to worldly things for rest at the end of a long day instead of God. Why are we so quick to lose ourselves in temporary comfort? Instead of escaping into Netflix, video games, or social media, we could choose reflection, renewal, and true rest. Jesus welcomes us to abide in Him (John 15:4-11), inviting a change in our habits to start and end the day in conversation with Him. He is our renewal of strength, our restoration, and friend. What a beautiful gift it is to be able to talk to an old, treasured friend after a long day. Maybe you’re tired, but He’s not. He invites you to rest in His presence, in quiet reflection, conversation, and comforting peace. To pursue an evening of intention, mental clarity, and prayer. He invites us to be still and know.

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31