Time Away
Space for formation.
I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem...
— Galatians 1:17-18
Between the stories, there were pauses. Extensive pauses. Moses fled to Midian for 40 years. Then went to Mt. Sinai for 40 days to be with God. Moses and Israel wandered 40 years in the wilderness. Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert. Paul spent three years in Arabia and Damascus. Then, there were the Desert Fathers and others over many centuries.
