Making Room for God | Pastor Kevin Nderitu

Jesus' life is portrayed as a study in intentional rhythms: as crowds pressed in and momentum swelled, the Son repeatedly stepped away to solitary places to pray. That withdrawal was not avoidance but strategic retreat — a practiced habit that protected intimacy with the Father, sustained clarity of mission, and resisted urgency defining identity. Rather than relegating prayer to spare moments, Jesus modeled increasing communion with God precisely when demands were greatest, showing that closeness with the Father is the source and center of effective ministry. Withdrawing to lonely places meant choosing quiet and separation on purpose — not emotional isolation, but a space without interruption where attention could be undivided.

The talk reframes busyness and success as potential rivals to devotion: when everything has access to a person, nothing has the best of them. Hunger becomes diagnostic — what one organizes life around reveals ultimate longing. Ordinary comforts, approval, control, and usefulness often masquerade as sustenance, displacing dependence on God. Fasting is presented as a training ground that awakens a deeper appetite for God, reminding the heart what truly satisfies and making solitude with God feel like life rather than obligation.

Practical invitation follows theology: cultivate a posture that stays hungry for God rather than a rigid schedule to check off. Intimacy with God is to be prioritized deliberately — withdrawing repeatedly and consistently even amid success — so that mission flows out of relationship rather than performance. The appeal is not to add another religious discipline to master, but to discover a life satisfied in God, where prayer becomes the source of direction and strength. The closing call invites an honest inventory of what currently occupies the center of the heart, confession of competing hungers, and a simple prayer asking God to awaken desire for Him so that solitude with the Father becomes the place where life is found.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Withdraw to preserve spiritual clarity Jesus’ withdrawals were strategic, not escapist. Stepping back created space to hear the Father, reorder priorities, and receive direction apart from popular demand. Repeated retreat protected the quality of attention and guarded against influence by success, ensuring mission flowed from intimacy rather than public acclaim. [08:02]
• 2. Busy seasons demand deeper prayer Intensity of responsibility calls for more, not less, communion with God. When schedules tighten and influence grows, intentional prayer anchors identity so urgency doesn’t become the master. This counters the temptation to let productivity define worth and reorients work as fruit of a rooted relationship. [13:26]
• 3. Hunger reveals what truly sustains The things that consume one’s time expose the heart’s true nourishment. If comforts, approval, or control shape daily rhythms, they quietly displace God as sustainer. Naming those hungers is the first step toward repentance and reordering desire toward what ultimately satisfies. [20:44]
• 4. Fasting retrains desire toward God Fasting removes habitual comforts so the soul can relearn longing for God alone. As physical appetite awakens, spiritual appetite can be reshaped: solitude and prayer shift from duty to life-giving desire. This discipline helps make withdrawal feel like home rather than a task. [26:44]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:30] - Holidays and New Year rhythms
• [00:52] - Enjoying seasonal rest
• [02:24] - January’s urgent return
• [04:38] - Biblical context: Luke 4–6
• [06:43] - Momentum: crowds and miracles
• [08:02] - Jesus often withdrew to pray
• [12:55] - Prayer as practiced habit
• [16:34] - Meaning of lonely places
• [20:44] - Hunger exposes competing goods
• [26:44] - Fasting trains spiritual appetite
• [30:15] - Invitation to respond
• [31:47] - Closing worship and altar call

1. According to Luke 5:15, what was the reaction of the public as the report about Jesus spread? What were the two main reasons the crowds were gathering?
2. In the middle of this growing momentum and "viral" success, what specific habit did Jesus practice according to verse 16 [08:02]?
3. Looking at the various moments in Jesus' life, what were some of the different times of day and specific locations where he chose to be alone with the Father [10:55]?
4. In Matthew 5:6, what is the specific promise given to those who possess a deep hunger and thirst for righteousness?

1. The word "withdraw" in this context implies a strategic retreat rather than quitting or hiding [13:51]. Why is it significant that Jesus chose to step back precisely when the demand for his ministry and his "success" were at their highest?
2. "Lonely places" or "desolate places" refer to uninhabited areas without interruption [17:15]. How does physical separation from noise and activity change the quality of a person's attention toward God compared to praying in a crowd?
3. Hunger can be a diagnostic tool for the heart [21:26]. If people naturally organize their lives around what they believe sustains them, what does a persistent lack of time for prayer reveal about what a person truly values?
4. Fasting is described as a way to "train the heart" [26:44]. How does denying oneself physical comfort or food help awaken a spiritual appetite that might be buried under the conveniences of modern life?

1. January often brings a sense of urgency, with calendars and alarms "kicking down the door" after the holidays [02:24]. How have you felt the pressure of "urgency" trying to define your identity or your schedule this past week?
2. It is easy to assume we will pray more once life slows down, but the pattern of Jesus shows that busier seasons actually demand deeper prayer [12:55]. What would it look like for you to "step back" and reposition yourself this week, even during your most demanding hours?
3. When everything and everyone has access to us, nothing and no one gets the best of us [15:46]. Who or what currently has the most "access" to your attention, and how is that affecting your ability to be fully present with God?
4. We often hunger for things like the approval of others, a sense of control, or the feeling of being useful [23:40]. Which of these "competing hungers" do you find most often crowding God to the edges of your life?
5. If you were to be completely honest before God today, what is the thing you are most "hungry" for right now? Is it success, comfort, or a deeper connection with Him [25:26]?
6. Intimacy with God is sustained by consistency rather than just occasional desperation [10:25]. What is one small, practical way you can create a "lonely place" in your daily routine—a space without interruption—where you can stay hungry for God this week?