Calibration
Yesterday I spoke about preparing ourselves.Mark's gospel is the shortest of the gospels, but it's not so much because he gives less information, he just packs it in very tightly. His account of Jesus' life is told with the breathless efficiency of a journalist - focusing on the core essentials of Jesus' activities and portraying Him as the tireless Son of Man who came to serve and not to be served...
So it is striking that in the first chapter Mark gives us the details of Jesus' devotional life...
In the midst of lots of output and pressure and before He makes the strategic decision to move to other villages Jesus prays.
His time of prayer seems to recharge His batteries, renew His resolve and re-calibrate His vision.
Stephen Covey makes the distinction between the "Urgent" (shouts loudly but isn't critical) and "Important" (doesn't always shout but is vital). When the disciples find Jesus they are the voice of the "Urgent" but Jesus has figured out the "Important".
During this lockdown cocoon it is vital that we learn to imitate Jesus in finding "solitary" places for prayer, Bible Study and reflection. This will recharge our batteries, renew our resolve and re-calibrate our vision.
Elsewhere I've written about how to have a Quiet Time. You can get it as a YouVersion reading plan or download a PDF here.The key point is: while we have the relative simplicity of lockdown, it is a good time to establish a routine that Jesus Himself seemed to regard as indispensable.
Do you need to:
- recharge your batteries?
- renew your resolve?
- re-calibrate your vision?
Daily time spent with God will do that for you!
| That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. 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." (Mark1:32-38) |
