Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Mark 1:35-37 (NLT)
35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
There is a sliver of space that lies between yourself and others, and it’s called solitude. Depending on your season of life, solitude may be rare or commonplace. It may be desired or unappealing. But there is something special that takes place in solitude—we are alone with our God. In Mark 1:35 we read of a shared morning between Jesus and His Father, enjoyed in solitude.
Before the sun had even come up, Jesus awoke and went out to an isolated place and prayed. Did He tiptoe? Was He extra careful not to wake anyone sleeping nearby? It can be hard to get alone with God. I can remember mornings when my children were younger, and if I could pull my exhausted body out of bed before my little ones awoke (and not step on a creaky stair or trip over a toy), I knew treasured moments with my Father awaited before the busy day began.
When Jesus finally reached a place where He was all alone, He began to commune with His Father. He prayed. In solitude there is no space between us and God. God knows our heart and thoughts. We can be real and vulnerable. We can soak in His very presence. In those moments of solitude, what did Jesus say? Did He pour His heart out or did He just listen, perhaps both? As the bright morning sunlight began to pierce through the darkness, did the heart of Jesus ache to show the world He was there to do the same?
Jesus was finally found by Simon and the others that morning. “Everyone is looking for you,” they told Him. The day before had been a long day of ministry. And because it was the Sabbath day of rest, townspeople had waited till sunset to travel to Jesus. People had crowded in the doorway of Simon’s house to watch Jesus heal their sick and watch Him cast out demons. And now as a new day dawned, more needs would emerge. But Jesus replied in Mark 1:38, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”
Jesus drew His strength and power for ministry from His Father (John 6:38), and we are wise to do the same. Oftentimes, the things God calls us to do for Him aren’t easy, and they fight our sin nature. Obedience can sometimes leave us drained and wishing for a do-over. The enemy pounds us with lies that we are underqualified or unusable. But in spite of our perceived outcome, Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, “the LORD’s purpose will prevail.”
We need time with our Father, and we need prayer. We need to let Him love us, restore us, and renew our focus and direction. And especially after a doozy of a day, we need to let His love just wash over us like a big hug! How about you? Will you seek time away from all of the busyness and demands to be alone with God this week?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, You are my purpose. This week give me the desire to spend time with you, and help me to find quiet moments like Jesus did to spend time with you in solitude. I give you any lie that I have heard from the enemy recently that I am not qualified or worthy to act when you urge me to be bold for you. Thank you for loving me and never giving up on me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.