Mark 6:45-46
“Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.”
Mark 6:45-46 NIV
Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. It’s a mind-boggling concept that we’ll probably never fully understand this side of Heaven, but it means that while being fully God, Jesus fully experienced everything we do. He experienced hunger and thirst, betrayal and pain, stress and exhaustion every temptation we face. So how did He cope? He spent time with His Heavenly Father.
I wish I could tell you that when you come to Jesus, all your problems will be over. I wish I could tell you that when you give your life to God, it will all be clear sailing. I wish I could tell you that following Jesus would mean an easy life and an easy road. But I cannot tell you that in honesty. Life is tough for everyone, including Christians. But as a follower of Jesus you will never face the storms of life alone. God is always watching. God is always available. God is always caring.
Jesus knew He needed to get away and be alone with the Father, so He sent the crowds away. Ministry is exhausting. Dealing with people and their issues takes a toll. Being used by God can be physically taxing. So Jesus sought rest, especially in the middle of high ministry demands. Let's learn from the Master.
Jesus was a busy man. He was so busy that many times He didn’t even have enough time to eat. And yet, He always found time alone to pray. On this note, we should evaluate our own prayer lives.
Why all this urgency and action? In order to slow down, to retreat, to find time and solitude to pray. Rush, rush, rush now stop and pray.
But maybe this only feels ironic. Maybe it’s not the action we should be paying attention to but the intent. Maybe sometimes you have to be urgent and intentional to cultivate your spiritual life. Maybe, that is, Jesus needs to withdrawal, to be away from both disciples’ and followers, and just pray.
I have a hunch that we have times like that, too.
That we need to have a sense of urgency to get the things done that most need being done in order to withdrawal, to find a moment of quiet, and to pray. Prayer, that is, matters. Not because it’s a moral obligation. Not because it’s a command. Not because God needs us to pray. But simply because weneed to stop, to be quiet, to be still, and in the solitude of prayer remember who we are by allowing God to remind us whose we are God’s own beloved children. And that, I think, is a matter of urgency.
All relationships take time. A relationship with God, while unlike other relationships in many ways, still follows the rules of other relationships. The Bible is filled with comparisons to help us conceptualize our relationship with God. For example, Christ is depicted as the bridegroom, and the Church is depicted as the bride.
Marriage is two joining their lives as one. Such intimacy involves time spent alone with one another. Another relationship is that of father and child. Close parental relationships are those in which children and parents have special alone time together. Spending time alone with a loved one provides the opportunity to truly come to know that person.
Spending time alone with God is no different. When we’re alone with God, we draw closer to Him and get to know Him in a different way than we do in group settings.
Spending time alone with God rids our minds of distraction so that we can focus on Him and hear His Word. Abiding in Him, we enjoy the intimacy to which He calls us and come to truly know Him.
If you’re feeling burnout spiritually, follow Jesus example and go to God. Carve out some time today and really invest in Intentional time with God. Ask Him to equip, refresh and strengthen you to face today!!!
Father thank You for this day and the amazing grace we have in Jesus. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family portion today. Lord please forgive us and correct us for not resting in Your presence and not spending enough time in prayer. Lord help us stay on track with our commitment to rest properly, but also to stay on track in our prayer life. Lord draw us away from the rush and activity that consumes most of our lives in order to be still, be quiet, and hear You call us back to You. Lord use my friend to love all as You love them. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya
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