How To Find Your Secret Place
The digital age is disorienting.
Author John Mark Comer reminds us that we live in the digital age, which is still relatively new, and whether we realize it or not, it’s still disorienting. He writes,
“One interpretation of the sociopolitical chaos of the last few years in America and beyond is that it’s not about politics at all: it’s about the social disruption caused by the shift from an industrial to a digital world. We’re living through a key inflection point in human history, and we’re feeling the vertigo of an entire world turned upside down in just a few decades” (“Practicing The Way“ by John Mark Comer).
Imagine how this reality slowly forms our expectations about everything in life.
Recently, I purchased a book from Amazon with about three clicks. The ordered book was sitting at our front door less than 24 hours later. My package was one of 1.5 million packages delivered by Amazon in the US that day. This thought still blows my mind.
We’ve been conditioned to believe everything in life is easy, fast, and right at our fingertips. Hungry? Swipe and click, and a hot meal is at your door. Feeling lonely? Just find a ‘friend’ on social media. We slide our thumb and get instant gratification. The danger? It skews our perception of the slow pace needed for spiritual growth.
Comer points out the stark differences:
Digital age expectation:
— Fast
— Easy
— Controllable.
Spiritual maturity expectation:
— Slow
— Hard
— We are not in control.
Spiritual maturity is the slowest of all human development. The longer you follow Jesus, the more you are formed to be like him through the power of the Holy Spirit. However, this takes way longer than we anticipate, and it doesn’t happen on autopilot.
Secret place. Sacred space.
Jesus said something about prayer that I find fascinating. His teaching didn’t begin with what to pray or even how long to pray but where to pray:
“When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your father in private” (Matthew 6:6).
Was Jesus instructing us to build a prayer closet only for quiet time with him? Maybe.
More importantly, he taught us that growing spiritually starts with creating space dedicated to prayer (here’s more on what Jesus taught about good deeds and prayer).
Consider these references where Jesus modeled his advice:
“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (Luke 5:16).
“One day soon afterward, Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night” (Luke 6:12).
“One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone” (Luke 9:18).
“Once Jesus was in a certain place praying” (Luke 11:1).
These were different locations with one focus: communicating with his Father. I’d argue that this practice is the main reason why Jesus stayed laser-focused on fulfilling his Father’s will. He dedicated time to the secret place — praying in private.
For us, the secret place becomes a sacred space when it’s free of distraction and diversion and focused on what God is doing (here’s how to create space for God to work in your life).
Do you have a secret place?
Is there a time in your schedule that is a sacred space to communicate with your heavenly Father?
Consider how Eugene Peterson writes about what Jesus taught regarding prayer:
“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply” (Matthew 6:6-8, “The Message” by Eugene Peterson).
Find your secret place and make it a sacred space.
Life is a gift!