Good morning! Today’s Lenten devotional comes to us from Kimber Crumrine, the Missionary Associate for TCU Chi Alpha (our Assemblies of God campus ministry). Chi Alpha is welcoming of students from all backgrounds and serves the campus through Life Groups and weekly worship. In addition to these events, you’ll frequently find Kimber connecting with students on campus with a warm, hospitable, and sincere smile. She is gentle, openhearted, and fully present in her ministry to TCU students, and we are grateful to have her! I hope you enjoy today’s devotional, and may peace find you in abundance this day.
Mark 1:35-39
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. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Reflection
As Jesus was ministering to people and performing miracles, He began to gain in popularity and many people were wanting to hear Him teach. During this period of popularity, Jesus finds “an isolated place to pray.” What a lesson!
Life can get overwhelming with classes, studying, friends, and all sorts of schedule demands. It always seems like there is something to do to fill our time. A wise person said, “Your calendar will always be full. The question is, who will fill it?”
I have learned that there are many people that want to fill my calendar with what they consider as important. If I’m not careful, I begin to rush from one thing to another and start missing out on the things that are the most important.
Jesus decided that time away in an isolated place to pray was the top priority. The Son of God had to set aside time to refresh Himself. Why do I think I can keep going with no time for renewal?
Then Jesus told his disciples it was time to go somewhere else. Jesus understood His mission and purpose and was willing to say no to some things in order to say yes to others. We need to be willing to say no to some things that are good—but not the best. We need to understand our unique gifts, talents, abilities, and calling. Then we can determine—with God’s help—when to say yes and when to say no.
Let us pray.
Holy Spirit, You are my Guide and Teacher. I ask for Your help today in finding time to sneak away for prayer—I need to connect with God daily. I also ask You to help me direct my day. Help me to accomplish Your desires with my day. Let my thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions be ordered by God.
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