He Withdrew

There’s a story I once read about a husband who took his wife out for dinner. He surprised her with a beautiful gift at her favourite restaurant, sharing her favourite meal. It was perfect—a moment full of thought, romance, and connection. She was moved, touched by the intentionality of it all.

The next week, he did the exact thing—same gift, same restaurant, same meal. And then the week after that... again. At first, it was sweet. But over time, it became predictable. Mechanical. Hollow.

What once felt meaningful now felt like a routine to maintain rather than a relationship to nurture. Eventually, she began to dread it, not because of what he was doing—but because of what it no longer meant.

And in many ways, this is what religious tradition can become when it replaces real worship.

We often hear phrases like:

“Church was boring today.”

“I didn’t enjoy the praise team.”

But the truth is, worship isn't about entertaining us—it’s about honouring God. The elements of corporate worship are not performances for our approval—they are offerings to Him. He is the audience, not us.

But that’s not even the core issue.

What’s truly missing is this: the deeply personal, unseen, cultivated moments of intimacy with God.

Scripture tells us: “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” – Luke 5:16 NLT

As was His custom.

This wasn’t casual or occasional. Jesus consistently withdrew—to desolate places, mountaintops, gardens—not for show, not for tradition, but for intimate connection with His Father. And what happens in those moments? That’s not recorded in detail. Why? Because those moments were sacred. They were His. Personal. Protected.

And that’s what real worship looks like. Corporate worship is just the overflow of private devotion. Community can introduce us to God, but it cannot replace a custom of intimacy.

So if you're chasing a worship feeling through a crowd, a song, or a service, it may always feel elusive. Because the deep encounter you're searching for is found in the secret place—in the quiet custom of meeting with the One who already longs to meet with you.

True worship isn’t routine—it’s relationship.

This is why Jesus said: "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." — John 15:5 NLT

Intimacy with God isn’t an accessory to our faith—it’s the source of our life. Like a branch draws life from the vine, our strength, wisdom, peace, and worship all flow from abiding in Him. Not just publicly. But privately. Daily.

So let the rituals fade if they must—just don’t lose the relationship. Let tradition support you, but never replace your connection to the Vine.