Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Mark 1:29-39 (NRSV)

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured 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.

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

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Reflect

Have you ever felt overwhelmed and pulled in too many directions? Does it ever feel like there is just not enough of you to go around? Jesus must have felt this way as the whole city clamored at the door, demanding more and more of him.

So what did Jesus do? He went away by himself and prayed. Jesus never allowed the push and pull of the crowd or the demands of others to determine his path.

Jesus was always compassionate to those who came to him, but he did not heal everyone. He did not meet every need. Rather he took the time to discern God’s direction and then followed what he understood to be the will of God.

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Pray

All-knowing God, help us to trust your path. Open our hearts and still our minds to listen for your guidance. Then move our feet to walk in your way. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Go with God.