Yes, we all need to go off to a quiet place to lavish in the presence of God where we are not distracted or pulled away. According to the Greek translation of Luke 5:16, “But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray,” withdrawing and praying was an ongoing practice for Jesus. Jesus went to His Father continuously; He needed God so He could do what God wanted Him to do.

More so, we need God for what He calls us to do. We need His presence to guide us, His peace to reassure us, and His power to enable us. But we can’t always get away to a nice quiet, even desolate, place to be with God. The world yanks at our intentions and life exhausts our energies. How do we seek God when we can’t find the way?

Jesus gave us His perfect example and left us with His power.

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)

While Jesus ministered on the earth, He was able to somehow pull away from the crowds and find a quiet place. He did not have another job, a carpool, children, or a cellphone, but He had multitudes of people surrounding Him. Over and over, He turned from them and looked to God.

In His wisdom and compassion, Jesus gave us the power to receive His peace whenever we choose to turn our minds to Him, no matter where we are or what the circumstances. When we make the choice to look at Him rather than our situation, we receive His peace as He promised.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

When we worry our way to God, we block our ability to walk freely with Him and, ultimately, to be effective for Him.

We don’t have to work our way to God; He is within us. We are smarter than we think!