Alone with God

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

ALONE WITH GOD

Mark 6:45-46

45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

NIV

All the fanfare if over, all the teaching that can be taught is done, the big miracle of multiplying the five loaves and two fish is finished, all have eaten the full and the day in done. It appears even Jesus is a bit exhausted from being with so many people and having to be their shepherd. It is a huge drain on anyone to be expected to be “On” al; the time. It was now time that Jesus needed to be alone with his Father and spend some time with him. So He sent his disciples ahead, dismissed the crowd, told them all it was time to go home for the night, the show was over. We really do not know exactly what he said to all the people to get them to leave, but the point here is that Jesus needed time with his Father. We could certainly learn something from Jesus about spending time with our Father. It is great to be about his business, doing all the ministry stuff. It is a good thing to serve others, both in the church as well in our communities. Most of us are in some sense social beings, in need of being around others, doing things, being busy with all sorts of good activities, sharing ideas, thoughts, working side by side, feeling good about being part of the team, contributing to the common good of all. Some of us are a little more reserved, stand offish, not so involved in team efforts, but nevertheless trying to be about our Father’s business in our own way. But how much time do we actually spend alone, withdrawn from all the crowds, all the activity and seeking private personal time with God. When we are with others, we might be concerned about how we are perceived by them. Do they look up to us? Do they think we are smart? Do they look to us for leadership, or are we just they to be one of the followers? Are our ideas accepted as valid, or are they dismissed. Are we even liked or just tolerated? Do people respect us for we are or do they expect more of us then who we are? We might get tired, weary from trying to do good, be the person others think we should be. But when we are alone with God, all those concerns must be put aside, for it is just us and God, and that relationship is perfectly defined. He is God and we are his sons and daughters. His love for us is absolute, He accepts us just as we are, with all out faults, all our sin, all our failures, and he desires nothing but the very best for us. When we get away from everything else that consumes our time, our energy and our very being, God is there to refresh, to restore our soul. We just have to remember that doing all that we do is good, and even some of those things are better, but getting alone with God is best. We need to get alone with God.