“Do Nothing” With Jesus

By Bill Gaultiere

Have you ever “done nothing” with Jesus? Not tried to make anything happen?

It could feel irresponsible to spend time this way. An evangelism outreach, studying your Bible, reading a theology book, or training ministry leaders would probably feel more productive.

Those are all good things. They help us connect with Jesus and serve his kingdom alongside him.

But Jesus himself is the “one thing”we truly need. He invites us to sit with him and listen to him—to be with him (Luke 10:41-42).

I was reminded of the value of simply being with Jesus while leading a retreat for a group of pastors in Mexico.

During our time of practicing extended solitude, I hiked into the hills above the retreat center. I was lying down in the quiet and watching the hawks when I noticed one of the pastors sitting on a rock in the distance.

Normally this pastor would work a long day at a hot factory. Then he would come home to a church that needed him, plus a wife and two children who needed him more.

But on this day, this busy pastor was resting with Jesus on a rock and looking down on the neighborhoods where he ministered. He chose to trust his Savior with the “many things” and spend precious time with him (Luke 10:41).

I sensed Abba’s warm smile on my pastor friend as he stepped out in faith to practice my instructions: “Do nothing. Don’t try to make anything happen.”

Do nothing? Don’t try to make anything happen?

You might feel irresponsible doing nothing—but you are actually responding to the call of the Spirit. The Psalms reassure us that the Good Shepherd leads us to spacious places to share in his delight (Psalm 18:19).

A long period of solitude (5 hours) was a new practice for this pastor. It’s possible that withdrawing from his busy life made him feel jittery and aware of stress, hurts, and longings bubbling under the surface.

It’s normal to experience distressing emotions when you slow down. But this uncomfortable path leads to deeper intimacy with Jesus.

It’s how you get emotionally honest about your hurts, needs, and longings to receive Jesus’ healing love and care. Practices like journaling or praying Psalms of lament cultivate an authentic friendship with him outside of “doing” and “activity.”

Solitude is where the foundation of your relationship with Jesus shifts from duty to delight.

But isn’t that unproductive? What about the mission? What about ministry?

This shift might feel unproductive or unloving. But answering Jesus’ invitation to “get away with me” is how you recover your best and most fruitful life in Christ.

If you spend enough time doing nothing you will notice what God is doing! It’s how you sense his presence, hear his voice, and discern his movement.

Taking your hand off ministry work is how you practice abandoning outcomes to God. You’ll learn to wait on him and trust his timing instead of trying to make things happen. 

Creating space to love and trust Jesus leads to a renewed intimacy with him—this is what you, your family, and your ministry need most!

I pray that your life in Jesus flourishes as you accept his invitation to get away with him!

You can flourish in intimacy with Jesus through training in Jesus-centered psychology and spirituality at a Soul Shepherding Institute retreat. You can also visit our website to find more resources to grow in emotional health and loving leadership.h and loving leadership on the Soul Shepherding website like our new book Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith. Plus, our team of Spiritual Directors would love to listen and empathize with you as you grow in emotional honesty and intimacy with Jesus.

This article is submitted by Carolyn Trevino of Soul Shepherding.  Soul Shepherdingis a Missio Nexus member.  Member organizations can provide content to the Missio Nexus website. See how by clicking here.