January 15
Mark 1.35-39
35 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.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
One big change in life over the past 20 years has been that there is more time when I find myself in places of solitude. Most of my time was spent with people before that. In social work it was always people around. Thus the word social with work. Before that working in a restaurant and dealing with others all day. Rarely left alone. Then the jump to having time that was meant to be alone.
Several years ago that came clear how I had struggled with the time alone. Doing some work on spiritual development where I was asked to do time in solitude with purpose. Settling on just one topic and a few verses. Spending time alone to listen and to think. Writing out some of my thoughts. But as I learned to use that time well, it helped me to do other things better as well. More focused on following in solitude led to more focused in following when in groups.
Jesus took the time to live in that place of solitude and prayer. From that we see him step right back into the life of leading and teaching. Hearing the direction of the Father to reach the nearby villages. Jesus valued the time of prayer and listening, using it to find the way to live and lead. We follow Jesus in this pattern of praying and listening for direction in the way we live and follow Jesus together.
Song – Speak O Lord
Prayer
Lord God,
help us to know your ways;
teach us your paths.
Lead us in your truth, and teach us,
for you are the God of our salvation;
for you we wait all day long.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
—based on Psalm 25:4-5, NRSV