Take Time to Be Holy

This is the title of an 1882 hymn by William D. Longstaff. Though venerable, its message is eternally contemporary:

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

The need to find that place apart from the craziness of the world is not just a vacation need but a daily need. It’s why Jesus pulled His disciples away for some “down time” together (Mark 6:31–32). It’s why I am thankful to hear of our members getting away over the summer or even just a long weekend. It’s why I urge my staff to take their PTO; they are better when they have been away to a quiet space somewhere else for a while. It’s why I am glad when I hear that a member has started a new prayer routine, found a helpful prayer app, or is going on an Emmaus Walk—they are looking to Jesus and “like Him (they) shalt be.”

The extended benefit of this is what Longstaff says in this second verse: “Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.” When we take care of ourselves, we see more clearly the Jesus who is in each other and in the gathered body of Christ; the benefit is exponential for the church.

I have enjoyed our time away in the mountains of Colorado, but I am looking forward to being back with my church family this Labor Day Sunday in order to see Jesus in each one of you. But I tell you in advance: some of our staff will be gone—I told them to go take some time to be holy somewhere!

Breathe peace,
Matt