Lent: With One VoiceSample

HE WANTED TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS DISCIPLES

Jesus was surrounded by a multitude of pressing needs: healing, deliverance, teaching the crowds, proclaiming the Kingdom. Yet in the midst of the clamouring demand for His time and attention, what was His desire? More time with His disciples to teach them.

What did He want to teach them? How to do more? How to be powerful, eloquent, and efficient? How to multi-task in ministry? No, Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the heart, the nature of His kingdom: His way was through the cross, not the throne. Through servanthood, not power. His disciples would learn this in time spent with Him.

Do you, like me, often feel pressed by people to see, meetings to attend, things – necessary and good things — to do, emails sitting in my inbox, projects to design, delegate and complete? And yet, I do desire to be His true disciple, to become like Him. May I slow down and settle down long enough to give Him what He wants from me — time with Him that I may learn of Him and that He may teach me.

FOR REFLECTION
• Do you want what God wants for you? Or are you spending energy, effort, and time on some of the same things Jesus corrected in His first disciples?
• Today, what is demanding your time and attention and is crowding out what God wants from you? Consciously set aside some of those things and give God what He wants from you today.

PRAYER
Father, how thankful and grateful I am that even in my weakness and shortcomings, I can boldly approach the throne of grace to find mercy and help in my time of need. I confess that now is a time of need. I need You and time with You. Teach me, O Lord. Make me like You. Right now, I set aside other demands and choose to answer Your voice calling me to Your side.