At my workplace, I have the privilege of working with a diverse group of people. One of them is a lady who has been with the company for many years and is considered to be a devout Christian. Her actions may indeed support this consideration as she daily (twice-a-day) hands out devotionals to everyone who accepts them. On Thursday, the devotional she laid on my desk said something many of us can relate to in the modern world; it's titled,
Our Demanding Schedules. You can read the full devotional by
clicking here if you'd like. The author refers to a passage in Mark 1:32-34:
At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
In this passage, Jesus is described to have been busy all night healing the sick and casting out demons. We don't know if he attended to the sick and demon-possessed one-at-a-time or if he healed many at once. Either way, we can tell from the passage that He had a long night ahead of Him and His days were filled with similar activities. But in verses 35-39 we read:
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.
This is where we must follow after Christ's set example. The strength He got in His busy schedule was acquired through His quiet time with the Father. Yes, even if that meant getting up before daylight. Let's pray for the strength and desire to do so in the demanding schedules we face today. May the Lord bless each and every one of you.
