NEVER LET THE DEMANDS OF LIFE DERAIL YOU FROM GOD’S PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE

SCRIPTURE:

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” ( Mark 1:36—39)

OBSERVATION:

People often ask when the best time of the day is to connect with Jesus. Thank Jesus that he is available at any time and all times of the day. However, this passage taught me that one of the best times to spend with the Lord is early morning while it is still dark. Jesus got up, left the house, and went to a solitary place where he prayed.

It was important for Jesus to connect with his Father early in the morning. He also seemed to leave the house and went to a solitary place to pray. While this is not a formula of how Jesus prayed, it does help in the way of getting oneself away to a solitary place to have one’s whole attention focused on God. Setting the day right from the offset by spending time hearing and listening, and connecting with the Father prepared Jesus for the ministry work ahead. The day’s agenda often come seeking after our attention.

Peter and the other disciples came looking for Jesus, and when they found him, they said to him, EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR YOU! It did not take long for the day’s agenda to come looking for Jesus. Everyone is looking for Jesus. Everyone wants a part of your time and day. What we’ve planned demand us to pay attention to it. Sometimes we plan too much and want to do a lot, but are they necessary things? Do our busyness and a full calendar make us feel needed and important? Feeling needed by everyone who seeks after us for some is important, but for Jesus, it wasn’t why he came.

I love Jesus’ response. He didn’t even answer Peter’s inquiry about everyone looking for him. He just said, LET US GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, TO THE NEARBY VILLAGES, SO I CAN PREACH THERE ALSO. Jesus never allowed the demands of his schedule nor the sense of being needed by people to dictate what God had a purpose for him.

Knowing our PURPOSE and God’s plans for us prevents us from being sidetracked by all the attention given by others. Our success can sometimes override our purpose and get us off of what God wants us to do. Jesus kept the focus on his purpose to preach everywhere and not be bound by where people were looking for him. We can either have people and the sense of being needed to derail our purpose, or we can seek God for strength and wisdom to direct his purpose in our lives. Dwelling on past victories poses a danger of moving forward to God’s plans.

APPLICATION:

While Jesus sought a place of solitude early in the dark hours of the morning, He didn’t say that that was the only time I could find him in prayers. I will seek Jesus at any time that I am able to ask for his guidance and wisdom for the agendas that I have ahead of me. I want to prioritize prayers and connection with Jesus at any time I am in need of him.

PRAYER:

Jesus, thank you for reminding me that the time of prayer is important. Teach me how to come to you and depend on your guidance daily. Help me hear you above all the demands of my calendar.

Teach me to see your plans and purpose clearly and prioritize them in my daily life. I look to you daily. I look to you for wisdom and guidance. I pray all these in your name, Amen!