Acts 20:13-16. As Paul and his disciples leave Troas, Luke and the others take a ship to Assos, while Paul travels by land, intending to meet them there. After picking up Paul in Assos, the group sails along the coast, stopping each day at another city, but passing Ephesus because Paul was "hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost."

Even evangelists need some alone time, apparently. Paul sends the others by ship, but he himself travels by land to Assos. Was it just to be alone with his thoughts, or was he visiting with and preaching to people along the way, but for some reason did not want his followers with him? Or was there some other reason entirely? We can't tell from the text, but I like to think that he just wanted to be alone for a while in prayer and in thought.

I've said before how exhausting Paul's travels must have been - it truly seems he didn't have much time for deep prayer or thought. But everyone needs this sometimes, Christ Himself often went off to be alone in prayer. So I think Paul wanted to be alone to walk, pray, and think.

When we are continually on the go, we can't let our mind be at rest long enough to really let God's voice seep into all the hidden crevices of our minds. Being alone and walking through this glorious world is a wonderful way to free our minds and souls to God's more subtle promptings and quieter whispers.