Photo by Balazs Busznyak on Unsplash

Journey through the wilderness this Lenten season with a new blog published every week by Patrick.

I will die with emails in my inbox.

It may be a cynical comment, but it’s likely true.

We live in a 24/7 world where friends, family, colleagues and even bosses can likely get a hold of us whenever. We are constantly bombarded by advertisements, notifications and breaking news headlines. There is always something new to read, see or reply to.

And it can feel like we are on a 100-mph train with no way to stop it or get off.

It’s part of the reason why I (quite honestly) hated and was even afraid of retreats for many years. By unplugging, I knew there would be many emails and messages I would miss out on, and the silence and slower pace would be deafening.

As uncomfortable as it may be, we must spend time in silence and solitude with the Lord. The Scriptures often mention that Jesus spent time alone by Himself in prayer to His Father. 

Jesus invites us to be counter-cultural and embrace a time of rest and renewal with Him. It’s Biblical: God created the world, and on the seventh day, He rested.

“God’s action is the model for human action. If God ‘rested and was refreshed’ on the seventh day, man too ought to ‘rest’” (CCC 2172). 

The reality is that there will always be more to read, see and do. It takes courage and strength to say no to the world and yes to Jesus.

This Lent, perhaps even this week, say yes to an extended rest with Jesus. It may mean not listening to podcasts or music, turning off your phone at certain times, or taking a retreat. 

There are many different ways we can choose to rest with the Lord. I invite you this week to step into wilderness rest. Have confidence that He who draws you in will be with you and bless you with the time and space you give Him.  

Patrick is a beloved son of the Father who desires to use his gifts to build up the Kingdom of God. You can read more of his writing on his blog.