Set Healthy Boundaries Like JesusSýnishorn

Jesus Withdrew from People

Scripture: Luke 5:15-16

Have you ever heard that song, “I Want You to Want Me?” Well, for a long time in my life, those lyrics could have been my anthem song. I wanted people to want me and I needed them to need me.

Of course, I hid all these motives under the guise of sacrificial love, but still, underneath everything was the overwhelming desire to be approved by you. If you thought I was good enough, I must be good. If you validated me, I must be valuable. 

Does the need for acceptance and validation ever drive you? Do you ever feel over-obligated to take care of others?

You know, I couldn’t even realize the true intentions of my heart back then; I couldn’t see. Loving others to the point of not caring about myself seemed like the religious thing to do. It was what was expected of me. So, I did the right thing, what Jesus always did, until I realized this was not what Jesus always did.

Jesus “often withdrew”. This meant that rather than being everything to everyone, he withdrew from demands, needs, and wants, sometimes. He left. But, to go where? To get alone. 

There, alone, I imagine Jesus relaxing. Perhaps taking a breath in the quiet. Sitting in the solitude. Thanking God for what He had done. Asking God for new strength. Becoming aware of who God might be calling Him to love—and obtaining wisdom on how to love them. 

I imagine Him reconnecting with His Maker and remembering who He is. Even taking a drink of water, praying, and becoming refreshed. 

If Jesus withdrew, shouldn’t we allow ourselves space to pull away sometimes? How much could the simple act of pulling away to pray change the face of our days?

Do you seek man’s validation and acceptance? How might God be calling you to withdraw so that you can connect with His heart, first and foremost?