Proximity

 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.   Luke 5:15-16 (ESV)

People are always fascinated by wondrous works.

Sometimes we are tempted to put on wondrous works to attract the crowds so that we can minster to them. Jesus did not need to put on an act. His normal life was wondrous enough.

What intrigues me is that Jesus, in the middle of great opportunity, withdrew from people and found a desolate place to pray. He was not pressed into an agenda. He set the agenda. The crowds would always be there and always be impressed by whatever He did. He was unimpressed with what impressed them.

We can make working for God a terrible substitute for being with God. Our efforts can become the substance of our trust, and we might even create some new Scripture that speaks of God only helping those who help themselves. We could even measure our value as to how busy we are in His work, rather than how close we are to Him.

Being able to create crowds has never been a sign of God’s blessing, neither is it a sign of His absence. In fact, the Godless often do things that attract a crowd and even make the crowd pay to be there. Sad to say, the church often imitates the Godless, and also begins to believe that numbers equals blessing.

Proximity with God alone brings blessing. Proximity should be our first focus, and sometimes that demands we walk away from the crowd.