First Steps – March 22, 2021

 
At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him; and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.  But he said, ā€œI must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also because that is why I was sent.ā€  And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea. (Luke 4:42-44).

Iā€™ve always marveled at Jesusā€™ ability to stay on point.  People constantly desired his time, wanted to be in his presence or pulled at him for personal gain.  There were also those that constantly threatened and worked in opposition to him.  Yet, Jesus didnā€™t waiver from his mission and purpose.  

There is part of me that wants to chalk this up to Jesus being the Son of God and having abilities or power that is beyond normal.  I know Iā€™m not alone because Iā€™ve heard others say, ā€œWell thatā€™s Jesus just being Jesus,ā€ as if to say, ā€œHe is different.ā€  Though Jesus was in the form of God (Philippians 2), he also did things that centered him and kept him on point. Throughout the gospels, Jesus ā€œwent out to a solitary placeā€ to pray, reflect and meditate.  

The more I study the gospels and the life of Jesus, I am convinced of the importance of daily spiritual disciplines.  Temptations, the constant demand for your time, and distractions galore, never go away.  They can be countered by a daily diet of a solitary place to pray and reflect.  

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary placeā€¦perhaps I need to go and do likewise.

 

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Colossians 1
  • Tuesday – Colossians 2
  • Wednesday – Colossians 3
  • Thursday – Colossians 4
  • Friday – 1 Timothy 1
Please Pray for:
  • Families in crisis.
  • Loved ones battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • The St. Paul Church family and our ministries.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

 


“Donā€™t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6