I’ve been putting off this announcement until just the right time. …

And it’s just the right time, friends.

On Aug. 11 — just two days from today — I will be stepping away from all social media and blogging activity for a period of time. This includes social media for personal use as well.

Call it a break or a rest or a sabbatical or whatever you like. I prefer the term “going dark” because that’s a CIA term and it just sounds cool … and I may have been watching too much Madam Secretary lately. 

“BUT WHHHYYYYYY????” you ask? Why am I going dark?

Is it because I believe social media is an enemy? No.

Is it because I am testing some social experiment? Hardly.

The reason is much, much more personal than that. It is an act of obedience. A response to an invitation from my Shepherd.

The single most important thing to me is to FOLLOW Christ, rather than skip ahead of Him or attempt to correct Him. I want to ensure He is LEADING ME rather than running after me as if I were a willful toddler (or in my house, a 6-year-old, but she’s a delight).

To follow means to obey. To obey means to be willing to listen for and receive those small whispers of instruction.

Sometimes the willingness to listen is the FIRST and hardest act of obedience. This was certainly true in my case.

For many months now, I have been feeling the nudges and hearing the whispers to get myself up on off of social media and blogging and spend more uninterrupted time with Jesus. And for many months, I built up a list of reasons why that simply wouldn’t work for me, thank you. Not now, not this.

The list included reasons such as my newly released book and the need to promote it, as well as the fact I have a novel looking for a publisher home, and publishers highly prefer authors with visible proof of an engaged audience. Also, social media is PART OF MY JOB. I am the communications manager for my church. Facebook is a key piece to that equation.

Surely, I rationalized, God didn’t mean me, now, this. Surely too much was at stake.

Then I landed on this:

Mark 6 tells the story of when Jesus sent his 12 disciples out for the first time to minister to the peeps, teaching them, healing them, driving out the demons. When the disciples came back to tell Jesus all they had done and taught, a large crowd began to gather around them – really, around Jesus.

In this middle of all this hubbub, Jesus turned to his disciples and said (v. 31), “Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest.” Verse 32 says they all got in a boat together and headed to a solitary place.

HE WAS JEALOUS FOR TIME ALONE WITH HIS BELOVED.

He wanted them to take their rest and find the renewing of their minds IN HIM. He invited them to get in the boat, INTENTIONALLY STEPPING AWAY FROM A GROWING CROWD, so the only thing they could see was Him, and the only thing they could hear was His voice. They could share with Him and He with them.

Who knows what was said on that boat, but we all know Jesus ain’t an opportunity waster.

I believe He is inviting me to “get in the boat” with Him, at least for a month, because He is jealous for time alone with me. I believe He wants me to know Him better, deeper, real-er. I believe He has much to say about parts of me, my ministry and my relationship with Him that may or may not be easy to hear, but I know they are necessary. He wants the uninterrupted time of sharing, so that:

1. My heart is more full of Him and His commands.

2. He is better able to speak and work through me.

But first I need to get in the boat. The crowds can wait. 

And you know what?

His invitation for extended alone time with Him EXCITES me, which, of course, SAYS SOMETHING about this invitation.

I’d be a right fool to pass it up.

So, friends, dear lovelies, I am getting in that boat on Friday, Aug. 11. I will be immersing myself more in study, prayer, praise and quiet, hidden service.

I appreciate your prayers during this time! In fact, I would be glad to also pray for YOU. Though my socials will be dark, my email inbox will not be. Feel free to email me using the Contact page.

Beloveds, I leave you with a hearty “Peace to you” and the hope that whatever invitation Jesus is extending to you today, you will accept it. 

It will be the best offer you get today. And quite possibly tomorrow.

In love and truth,