I recently spent time with some far away friends that I hadn't seen for a few years. It was a delight to spend multiple days fully-engaged in Jesus-focused conversation along with precious times of prayer and worship.
During this time away, the Lord seemed to highlight a passage in the Gospel of Mark. Mark 3:13 (NASB) - And He went up to the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him.
Right before this passage is a description of the massive crowds of people that were coming to Jesus from several cities. There were so many people that He had to sit in a boat away from the shore as He spoke in order to avoid being crushed by the crowds. You see, Jesus is good at everything... so everyone wanted Him. "Wow, Jesus, you're so smart will you be a professor at my college?" or "Hey everyone! Jesus just healed this person... if you want to be healed come to Jesus right now!" and other voices, even the demons would exclaim, "Jesus, we know who You are! You are the Son of God!" We read stories of Jesus multiplying bread, exposing the prideful religious leaders for what they were, and loving children. I bet Jesus was a really good carpenter too.
Right in the middle of being good at everything, Jesus up and leaves.
He walked away from being a good teacher, though the people needed to be taught. He wasn't around for some of the folks that wanted physical healing, even though He had the power to help. He didn't cast out every demon and he didn't fill silos with extra food. Jesus didn't bow to the demands of the world, even when they were rooted in actual need.
In Luke 5:16 we read, "But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness to pray." He was responding to the call of His Father to come and spent time together. The Father doesn't need anything, yet longs for time with the Son. Jesus, in turn, "summoned those who He Himself wanted" and beautifully, "they came to Him."
The demands of life are legitimate. You have a mission and calling in the world. Keep it up!
I wonder, however, do you ever hear the voice of Jesus calling you away? When you hear Him summoning, do you go?
It is often a difficult thing to walk away from real needs to spend time with the One that doesn't need you. May we be reminded that we go because we need Him. He longs for time with His daughters and sons whom He loves.
Come away frequently to meet with the One that you need. Find quiet time every day with the Lord. Seek His heart for yourself, and for those He has entrusted to you. It is in time with the Lord that you get filled up. Jesus knows the needs of the people you care for. He loves them too.
Sacrifice isn't always in doing more of what you are good at. Jesus shows us that, at times, the sacrifice that honors Him is when you pause all the amazing things you do... and just spent time with Him.
How do you do this?
How do you do this?
A) Treat time with the Lord with the importance it carries by creating a quiet place in your day.
B) Don't fill up this time and space. Allow room for silence in your mind and heart.
C) Quietly speak out the blessings and promises of the Lord. Recite a passage that comes to mind.
D) Ask the Lord to reveal His heart to you, honestly share your heart with Him in prayer.
E) Notice the thoughts and feelings the Lord places within you during this time with Him.
Matthew 7:9-11(NIV) 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:9-11(NIV) 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
