The Rhythm That Sustained Jesus

How often would you need to do something for people to say, at the end of your life, “They did that often”?

What do you do often?

We all have regular rhythms and patterns in our lives, some planned and some unplanned. I’d love to consider myself someone in the “planned” category, but unfortunately, that would be a bit too generous. Not that unplanned rhythms are inherently bad, but when you have an attention deficit, a little planning goes a long way. Let’s just say I’m a work in progress.

I think many of us share a common experience in this moment of history: a desire to escape some of those regular patterns. If escape feels like too strong a word, maybe we could call it a desire for “a break” from the norm. Enter Netflix, social media scrolling, and countless other distractions.

In 2026, we have a seemingly endless number of ways to step into a reality other than our own to give our minds a break from the weight of our everyday lives. Sometimes that weight comes from genuinely difficult circumstances. Other times, it comes from good things that still require a great deal of energy and attention. Either way, life can feel heavy.

If this sounds like an indictment, it isn’t. It’s actually an invitation. Stay with me.

Growing up as a pastor’s kid in the ’90s, there was a particular question that became part of my DNA. You may be familiar with it: What would Jesus do?

As ’90s nostalgic as that might be, I think questions like that can be some of the most helpful processes for any of life’s circumstances.

Jesus, how did You do this?

How did You navigate when life became heavy?

How are You seeing the situation I’m living in right now?

After all, He is the One we are becoming like.

Luke gives us some insight as he recounts the rhythms and patterns of Jesus. In chapter 5, he writes, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)

I believe Luke is calling out a common practice of Jesus. To regularly withdraw.

The word but is significant because it comes in response to verse 15, where Luke tells us that “great crowds gathered to hear him.” That sounds like a heavy load of good things to me. Ministry was flourishing. People needed Him. There was more opportunity than ever.

But Jesus withdrew.

This is one of many glimpses we get of Jesus intentionally stepping away from the natural pace of life to be alone with the Father.

As I reflect on this passage, I can’t help but wonder if some of our innate desire to “escape” is actually the Father’s design at work, drawing us back to Himself.

What if that longing isn’t simply something to avoid or push through? What if it’s actually an invitation?

An invitation to withdraw.

An invitation to a lonely place with God where we can be once again reminded that He is with us. He is a God who sees. He is a God who provides. He is a God who loves us enough to not leave us as we are but takes us on a journey of becoming like Him.

Today, if you hear His invitation, will you go find a lonely place?