In Spanish bullfighting, there’s one place in the ring where the bull feels safe. It’s called “querencia.”
If the bull can reach that place—which is different for each bull—he stops running. You can see the bull gather his full strength. Suddenly, he’s no longer afraid. And he becomes dangerous to his opponent. That’s why it’s the job of the matador to know where this sanctuary lies for every bull—and then to be sure the bull never has the opportunity to get to it.
Sounds a lot like the job of our spiritual enemy, doesn’t it? Satan, too, wants to keep us from our querencia, so that we don’t have the chance to find our courage and strength. So that we don’t have the chance to find our spiritual center of gravity. So that we don’t have the chance to become dangerous to him.
As you read the Gospels, you see Jesus continually finding His own personal querencia. Luke 5:16 says that He “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Again and again, He slipped away from the crowd—from even His intimate friends, the disciples—and spent time alone with His Father, regaining focus and strength.
Each time He came out of those dates alone with God, there was an expression of Kingdom power on earth.
Weekly Challenge
Like Jesus, we need to find our own personal querencia in God’s presence! This week, find an opportunity each day to find your querencia and be alone with your Father, regaining focus and strength.