Time Off

After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples. (John 2:12)

We are getting ready to move. I will be taking time off from writing the devotions until July 7. Past devotions are archived on the blog for your use. Taking time off from the things we do, including the things we love, brings a fresh perspective.

John wrote that Jesus went to Capernaum for a few days. Capernaum was on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. A significant amount of Jesus' ministry occurred in Capernaum. In the first chapter of Mark, we are told about a day in Capernaum. It is a fascinating study of what a day was like for Jesus.
After a busy day, Jesus gave his night to sick and demon-possessed individuals, those who lived on the outside of the margins:
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. (Mark 1:32-34, NKJ)

There is a little phrase . . . the whole city was gathered together at the door. Christ, fully human, must have experienced the exhaustion of the crowd pressing in around him after a long day. Certainly, the recorded day in the life of Jesus was replayed over and over.

Jesus revealed the key component of his day . . . it was not in His doing but in His being in the presence of the Father . . . being in a solitary place to pray:

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. (Mark 1:35,NKJ)


Jesus physically demonstrated the key to managing life, even when it is exhausting.
He went out: Jesus began his day . . . very early . . . away from the pressures to be in the presence of God.
He departed to a solitary place: Jesus took action . . . He did not wait for things to calm down. Instead he took action and found a place to be still and know the presence of God. (See Psalm 46:10).
He prayed: The most often missed component of daily life is intentional prayer. Jesus set aside the beginning of his day to intentionally pray.

A day in the life of Jesus began with prayer. He took time off from people and pressures to be alone in the presence of God to pray.
Develop a plan of action to live like Jesus.
Take time off on a daily basis to pray.
Separate yourself from people and pressures.
Be still and know God.
Gain a new perspective.

Learning with you to take time off,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)