Solitude and the mission of God!

Reflecting on Mark 1:35-39

“That is why I have come!” (Mark 1:38)
As a Jesus follower I value time alone with God and Jesus.
I can relate to Jesus seeking solitude very early in the morning.
This has been my rhythm for years, not a discipline but a delight.
But one danger is that I prefer solitude over crowds.

There’s a reason for this.
I used to be an extrovert, until I became a minister.
More and more people were looking for me, expecting things from me.
“Everyone is looking for you! (Mark 1:37)
The weight of peoples’ expectations started to weigh me down.
Time alone with God was liberating, and life-giving… it still is.

Personally I think every Jesus follower should seek solitude like this.
Not necessarily “early in the morning”, but whenever it fits your rhythm.
It needs to be intentional, a set apart space and time to be with God and Jesus.
Not a time to do so much as a time to be, to rest in God’s presence.
Both a time to speak honestly, and to listen quietly.
A time to open ourselves, and a time to receive God’s love, joy and peace.
Have you set aside intentional time to be alone with God and Jesus?

But I also see that Jesus does not forget others in this.
He did not come to be in a solitary place.
He came to be with God AND with people, and not just a select few.
Jesus was intentional about spending time with people too.
He set aside time for the 12, for the 3, for the crowds, and for other places.
He was aware that His mission was for those beyond His small circle of friends.
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.” (John 10:16)
His vision and calling extends beyond Jerusalem and the Jews.
“Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Jesus models a perfect blend of being with God, and being with others.
As a Jesus follower, I am committed to both God AND my neighbour.
And my neighbour is not just those close to me relationally or locally.
I have sensed the Lord calling me to seek Him personally…
So that I can serve Him locally and globally!
For me personally this means…
Locally, in the Food Bank in Cambridge, and through my local church.
Globally, in Haiti and Dominican Republic, with an agency called Mission Possible.
I feel especially called to serve the weak and vulnerable ‘little ones’.

Not every disciple will choose the same time frame to be alone with God.
Not every disciple will choose the same ways of serving locally and globally.
But I do believe every disciple should choose their time, and their place.
For like Jesus, that is why we have come.
That is why we are made: to love God AND to love our neighbour.
When we seek God, Jesus and the kingdom first, our neighbours will benefit.
We will increasingly reflect the heart of God as experienced in Jesus.
And that heart will propel us outward to those near and far.

If you are not sure where the Lord is calling you, seek a solitary time and place.
Spend time with God and Jesus, and allow His love to form and guide you.
In your time alone, the Lord will show you the ‘villages’ he has for you.
Yet don’t take on this mission alone.
Jesus took His disciples with Him to these other places.
And He sent out His disciples two by two to specific towns (Luke 10:1).
Ask the Lord for others who share your call to those places or ministries.
Time alone with God and Jesus IS very important.
But living WITH, LIKE and FOR Jesus is not a solitary calling.
As a Jesus follower, I need time with and for God, and I need time with and for others.

“That is why I have come!” (Mark 1:38)

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I cannot survive without my face to face time with you. But neither can I survive in isolation from others. I need to charge my batteries if I am to share Your blessing with others.

Strengthen my heart in God, that I may share God's heart with others... especially those around me in Cambridge, and those who desperately need you in Haiti and Dominican Republic!