“And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.””
Mark 1:29-38 ESV
As the ministry of Jesus grew, more and more people placed their expectations on Him. They may not have admitted it, but the masses began to demand Bis attention and time. Whatever their motive may have been, they had their purposes in mind. Jesus demonstrated what it meant to focus in on God’s purpose above the expectations placed on us by others. That can easily happen in ministry and in nearly every other avenue of life. As a husband, father, friend, teacher, business owner, and on and on, there are demands and purposes placed on my life. It is my job to decipher whether those are God’s purposes, mine, or from others. As a “people pleaser” it can be hard for me to say no. What has been so meaningful to me is to realize that in saying yes to someone I may be saying no to God. It is His purpose and plan that I need to be in tuned with. That way I can weed out all the noise and clutter. My “good things” can become “godly things” when I stay true to His plan for my life and not allow others, or my own selfish desires, to direct my path.
“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.””
Luke 10:38-42 ESV
This is one of my favorite stories in the ministry of Jesus because it reminds me of what it can look like to choose the most important things. I am a doer. I like to get things done. And what I often lack is the quality time at the feet of Jesus, listening to and learning from Him. Jesus showed us what it looks like to fight for solitude with God and Mary did too.
I pray, that in your busy life, God’s purposes will prevail. That you will be able to hear Him through the noise and to fight for the solitude like Jesus did. Please pray the same for me.
Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.
For Common Ground 