Quiet Zone

New relationships are usually filled with a lot of chatter, and stories of our beginnings.  We share funny moments, historical moments, hard moments, and all moments that molded us into our current state.  Then as the relationship grows and matures, the words may become less.  And it’s enough to just be in the other’s presence.  Together but without words.  A quiet zone of space and love.

After thirty-some years of life and chatter, Jesus entered the quiet desert.  And we only learn of spoken words after his 40 days and nights.  During the forty days, we have no idea of what was said or not said but we read that he was alone.  I wonder what Jesus thought about, what he experienced in the quiet of the desert.  His desert seemed as though it was a preparation for His next steps.  His desert was all-consuming and gave Him a renewal for life ahead.

Is a desert visit a pilgrimage?  Is it in this place that we can hear most clearly?  Is there power, strength and guidance in the quiet?  Can we choose the quiet to seek and learn?  The quiet zone can be scary, lonely, and desolate OR the desert pilgrimage can be full of hope, deliverance, and JOY.

It’s a few weeks before Easter, let’s choose the pilgrimage of the quiet zone.  Let's quieten our lives, stop our chatter and just be quiet with the One.  Let's be in His presence to listen and be restored.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31