It is possible to be so busy that our souls become barren. Too much activity causes us to be occupied too much with our work and too little with God's. We should all pray, "Lord, deliver me from the barrenness of a busy life." Many believers are afraid to be alone. They must be with others, talking, working or traveling. No time is spent in quiet contemplation. The pressures of modern life encourage us to be hyperactive, to be overachievers. We build up a mountain of activity and it is difficult to slow down. Life seems to be a continued push, push, push, go, go, go. The result is that we do not develop deep spiritual roots, and there is little growth and fruit for God.

Yet there are those who discipline themselves to break away from the rat race, who refuse invitations, who put aside secondary activities so that they can spend time alone with the Lord. They resolutely make time for prayerful meditation. They have a hideaway where they can tune out the noise of the world in order to be alone with the Lord Jesus.

—William MacDonald