March 17, 2014

 

Good Monday Morning To You!

I hope this week's devotional finds you well and having fully embraced the Journey To The Cross: Remembering Jesus, every step of the way. I have to admit, this past week I was faced each day with a situation that presented me with an opportunity to practice the inward discipline of Surrender. Often, it was frustrating having to surrender the need and desire to address, control and fix every matter that presented itself. But, I was so grateful to have a daily word to revisit and remind me that If I just let it go, God is well able to handle every challenge life presents. I am grateful for the peace that comes with knowing God is in complete control and that ALL things are working together for my good!

We live in such busy world. Everyday it seems as if there are more things to do than there is time to do it. Many of us find ourselves moving, moving, moving, from the time we wake up until long after the time we should be sleeping. Each day is filled with constant talking, texting, tweeting, emailing, checking Facebook and sometimes all at the same time. Our days and evenings are filled with work, meetings, and more meetings, ministry and family responsibilities. Even as I write this, I am on a plane headed to Chicago and by the time you read it, I will have preached four times in two days. Perhaps it's just me but it seems as if the more we do, the more there is to do. We often find it challenging to even connect with God through personal study and reflection because of the many things we feel we MUST do. And if busy were not enough, each day and night is filled with the constant noise and chatter of daily commuting, television, Netflix, iTunes, Podcasts and Pandora just to name a few.

Often this hectic pace leaves us feeling constantly depleted and functioning on fumes. But in the life of Jesus, we find a better way, a more productive way. Not only did Jesus practice the discipline of Surrender but throughout His life and ministry, we find Jesus slipping away to spend time alone. He actively and regularly practiced the discipline of SOLITUDE: Intentional isolation for planned availability to God. "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16-NIV)

The power, wisdom and direction needed to live the abundant life Jesus taught about requires a vital connection with God. The courage and strength required to combat injustice and speak truth to power requires a vital connection with God. To see the Kingdom of God fulfilled and world transformed requires a vital connection with God. Maintaining the vitality of that connection requires our intentional isolation and planned availability to God.

As a child, I remember hearing and singing in church the hymn, "I Come to the Garden Alone". The spirit would always enter in as the entire church sang in harmony the chorus, testifying of their time alone with God. "And he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known." There is joy and fulfillment that comes from time alone with God.

The scriptures this week show us how Jesus practiced Solitude despite his busy life and ministry. As you read, also take note of the situations that occurred before and after his acts of solitude asking the Holy Spirit to speak to you about how and why Solitude is so necessary for our relationship with God.

Monday - Matthew 14:22-23
Tuesday - Luke 6:12-16 .
Wednesday - Mark 6:30-33
Thursday - Luke 5:15-16 .
Friday - Mark 1:35-39
Saturday - John 6:14-15
Sunday - (Worship)

As you read, reflect and respond to the daily scriptures this week, why don't you find a garden or make one. Find or create a time and space where you can meet the Lord in Solitude. Your garden may have to be your car or the lunch room or that place you drive to for peace and quiet. If you do that this week, I believe he'll walk with you and he'll talk with you and he'll tell that you are his own, and the joy you'll share as you tarry there, none other has ever known.

I'll be praying for you this week. Feel free to share your journey experience with me and invite others to join us. We are on this journey together, abstaining, adopting and Remembering Jesus.

Let's Grow!

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Assistant Pastor