Galatians 1:15-17 NKJV
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
There are times in our Christian walk that we may be required to retreat by ourselves for a period of time, even from our beloved brethren in Christ. This may occur when confusion arises, or if perhaps bitterness and anger threaten. Maybe you will feel the gentle nudge of Holy Spirit asking you to simply turn aside so that the still, small voice of Yahweh may be heard personally. Paul had a profound encounter with the Living Christ on the Damascus Road. He came to know Jesus in such a living and personal way that he had no need to ascertain this experience with any other living soul. Paul knew Jesus in that moment, totally, personally, intimately and assuredly. Therefore He chose to retreat for three years to learn from Christ alone before he returned to meet the Apostles. This is a blessed assurance, when we can know Christ to that depth of intimacy, and receive teaching directly from heaven without needing to confer with others. An intense intimacy with Jesus always produces unshakeable results of knowing Him and the plans He chooses to reveal. This requirement of deep connection with the Lord ensures that we can avoid any potential error by following His leading and direction for our lives. And although we are not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together (and indeed the Lord desires for unity in the Body of Believers), we must also discern the times that He may require us to retreat for a season. The reasons for such a need may vary person to person. It may be that the waters of the current Christian stream we are in seem muddied to us, and the way has become less clear, or it may be that we have become too reliant on others in our own personal walk. Whatever the reason, the Lord will likely call us to occasional separation wholly unto our King. There, we will renew our intimacy and love for Him, and He in turn will love us wholly and open our spiritual senses and understanding more fully. We are called to be mature sons and daughters in this day, that we may lead a lost world to Christ, and separation to the Lord is part of the requirement.
ANOINTED TO SERVE - Miriam Jacob 