Where to look when everyone is looking for you: Creating restorative time with God
Everyone is looking for you. If you parent young children, or if you’re a ministry leader, an employee, or business owner, you likely resonate with those five words. But let’s be real. If you have breath, you get it, and so does Jesus.
In a matter of hours after teaching and healing an impure spirit in the synagogue, the whole town gathered at the door where Jesus was staying, many in need of healing from various diseases and demon possession. The whole town.
While that’s hard for this introvert to imagine, anxiousness knocks at my door when I feel stretched like Gumby in a toddler’s tug-of-war. And sometimes it’s the deadlines, to-dos, and expectations that come after my peace of mind more than demands from other people.
No one understands the weariness—physically, mentally, and spiritually—that come when we feel sought after more than Jesus, which makes His next decision a game-changer for us all.
Mark 1:35-37 says that Jesus got up very early, while it was still dark, He left the house, and went to a solitary place to pray. Mark could’ve simply stated that Jesus prayed that morning, but instead, he was very specific, and it’s in this specificity where our spirit also finds restoration:
Jesus got up...
Intentionality is the key that ignites our spiritual engine, accelerating the needle forward in our desire to become more like Christ. God’s blessings, love, grace, and mercy await us on the other side of intent.
Very early, while it was still dark...
Cultivating the joyful habit of spending alone time with God, regardless of the time of day, restores, refreshes, and revives our souls.
Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place where he prayed.
Jesus knew what the following day held for Him, and He intentionally set aside time to meet with God. How much more do you and I need this time not knowing what the next day holds? While leaving the house and going to a solitary place won’t happen for most of us daily, we can find creative ways to meet with Him.
Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles Wesley, and eight other children, would put an apron over her head to signal to them that she was spending time with God and not to interrupt it. Now that’s creative!
Simon and his companions went to look for Jesus, and when they found Him, they shouted, “Everyone is looking for you!” Like you, Jesus wasn’t surprised but He was prepared because of His time with God.
I don’t know who or what will skirt your heels this week in need of attention, but I know the One who wants to come alongside you and give you a rested soul. Regardless of who looks for you, it is Who you seek that will make all the difference.
Scripture for meditation
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. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” (Mark 1:35-37, NIV)
Prompts for reflection and journaling
What does the “whole town” look like in your life and what are some ways they “gather” at your door?
Prayerfully consider ways to become more intentional in setting time aside to meet with God on a consistent basis and then dream of how to create a personal “away from home” retreat with God, even if it’s only for a few hours one weekend.
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