got to get away

Mark 1:35-39: “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, ‘Everyone is looking for You.’ 38 But He said to them, ‘Let us go into the next towns that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.’ 39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.”

The great men and women of the faith have utilized the act of solitude to get closer to God in order to be prepared to be used in an awesome way by God. Jesus modeled this discipline in order to prepare Himself for the awesome mission that was before Him. The act of getting alone with God is extremely important in the life of the Christian. It is the source of power that gives us focus that we might be able to perform the way Jesus wants us to. There is an intensity that we must have in order to do great things for God. This intensity is focused when we can get alone with God and listen to the orders He has for us. Before Jesus set out to preach and to fulfill His purpose He went to a solitary place. This was a chance for Him to turn down the volume of life, and to get away from the busyness and chaos of the everyday dealings.

We as Christ-followers are called to meet with God and make a concerted effort to daily get our orders from our Commander-in-Chief. When we fail to meet with God on a daily basis because we put too many things in our life, we begin to commit idolatry. The daily time that we spend with God is sweet and precious, just as the pure, cool water of a mirage is sweet and precious to a desert traveler. As we travel this world, we become dry and parched. The refreshing we experience by meeting with our God daily invigorates and energizes the believer. We have the privilege of meeting with our King everyday.

Jesus gave us a precedent for Christian living. That precedent is to get away from the busyness and hectic lifestyle and center back on God. Even if “everyone is looking for you”, God is looking for you first. Give Him the first fruits of the day; in fact give Him the whole day.

Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: Lev. 26-27 New Testament Mark 2