Father, I am always grateful for Your watchcare over me. Getting up on the roof three times yesterday to repair a damaged cap on the vent of our woodstove, was more than I had bargained for but rain comes in this weekend. Up and down without a hitch – thank You, Father!
Luke 4:42 (<<click to read the passage)
When I first began this devotional journey back in 2015 my life was composed of different things. I was still working at Kohl’s and my schedule at that time lent itself more to getting up early to read, write and pray. Over time that changed and I began doing those things whenever I could squeeze them in, much as I do today.
I must say there was something special about rising before the world around me began to stir. At that time, I was usually up by 6:00 AM and it gave me a good hour to spend with the Lord. Traffic was almost non-existent. I would sit in the living room. Karen was still in bed. On most mornings it was still dark out. Peaceful. Still. Quiet.
The first part of today’s verse states,
“Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place.”
That is from the New Living Translation. Other versions use “secluded” (AMP), “solitary” (NIV), “remote” (MEV), and “desert” (KJV). It was vitally important that He get away – as far away as He was able – from all the hustle and bustle of life. His ministry was just getting started and already the crowds were diligently searching Him out.
But as my Life Application Study Bible states, “Jesus had to get up very early to get some time alone. If Jesus needed solitude for prayer and refreshment, how much more is this true for us?”
When we do it is not nearly as important simply doing it. Where we do it is not as important as simply doing it.
From experience, I am telling you that if you can make getting alone with Jesus a habit in your life – whenever and wherever you can – it will most definitely change your life.
How many well-meaning Christians crave a closer walk with Jesus? And it is just like anything else – you, and you alone, have to decide that it is important enough to do…to apply yourself to…to give yourself over to.
I need to lose weight but only I can decide that it is important enough to do.
I need to get into better shape physically but only I can make myself do it.
Alcohol abuse. Drug addiction. Pornography obsession. Gambling habit. The list can go on and on but only the person in the middle of it can make the choice to get out of it. We can seek out help but we must choose to begin.
Jesus’s greatest desire is for you to spend time with Him. He already knows you – and has known you since before the earth was formed (Ephesians 1:4)– so what is holding you back? Nothing – absolutely nothing – is more important than this decision…right here, right now. So what is it going to be?
Jan 8th, 2020, Wed, 5:47 pm
