Draw Near

“But [Jesus] would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” -Luke 5:16

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went our to a desolate place, and there He prayed.” -Mark 1:35

      Over the past year, I have learned what a precious gift it is to wake up early and start your day with a time of quiet before the Lord, reading the Word, meditating on it, praying and listening.

      Our Saviour, Jesus lived the perfect life while He was here on earth. He modelled for us what it looks like to life a life completely surrendered to the will of our Heavenly Father. So becoming imitators of Christ should be our goal.

      If Jesus retreated from the business of the day and the business of ministering to people to spend time alone with His Heavenly Father, then how much more should we take time to be still before the Lord? 

     Jesus knew that He wasn't here on earth for His own purposes. He was here to do the will of the One who sent Him. In the same way, we aren't here on earth for our own purposes. This life is not about us! It's about doing the will of our Father, and glorifying His Son!

      Jesus knew that in order to do the will of the Father, He would have to know the will of the Father. So Jesus took time away from everyone else to spend time alone with the Father.

     So often we get focused on 'doing things for God', that we strive and strain in our own strength to accomplish great things for God. But if we have that mindset then we're going to fail. We shouldn't focus on doing great things for God, God doesn't need us. Instead, we should be focusing on doing great things with God. Our gracious God decides to let us be a part of His amazing plans!

    Let's make it a habit to seek God in quiet times, early in the morning or whatever time you will be most attentive to what God has to say to you. Let's not run on ahead of God doing things for Him, when He wants us to draw near to Him so He can tell us what He wants us to do with Him.

      Like and football player waiting for the coach to tell Him which play they should run, or like a soldier waiting to hear his orders from the general, we need to meet with our Heavenly Father to learn more about who He is, hear His commands, learn His will, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Only then can we “live a life worthy of the calling you have received”(Eph 4:1). 

   Have an amazing week as you live the mission God has called you to!!


***Don't forget to book off April 4-6th for the LDP REUNION!! ***