Jesus
knew the importance of getting alone with God. If He felt this habit is
important, although He had a divine nature, how much more should we value this
activity too?
Jesus
set boundaries and escaped from the crowd or declined an offer or refused to
comply to every request made of Him. He followed the leading of the Holy Spirit
and was not a workaholic, an enabler or an over-achiever. He simply rested in
God's love and enjoyed His company.
He
went about doing good (Acts 10:38), healing the sick, feeding the hungry
multitudes, casting out demons and working miracles. He did this by the
Spirit's direction, not of His own volition. Jesus walked in the will of the
Father who sent Him, energized Him and anointed Him (John 5:18-20).
Jesus
filled Himself with the presence of God and was ready to handle the divine
appointments He encountered each day (Luke 5:15-16). He cared for his own needs
as well, without feeling guilty, even if He missed the opportunity to help
someone else (Matthew 4:6-7, 26:18-20; John 12:2).
Interruptions
in His schedule, crisis situations and dire needs in others did not tax His
faith or cause Him irritation. He took them all in stride. His compassion and
grace enabled Him to look at the situation and meet the real need, not just the
surface issues.
Jesus
enjoyed the fellowship of His disciples. He spent time mentoring, instructing
and encouraging them. He answered their questions and lived a spirit-filled
life as an example to others.
In
the Garden, Jesus sweat blood at the thought of the anguish God called Him to
suffer on the cross; but He did the will of the Father regardless of His
preferences and concerns (Mark 14:32-42).
God
calls us to walk in the Spirit as well; to meet His expectations for us rather
than those from other people; and not to enable people but to point them to
Christ and to lead them to the resources they need to help themselves.
Prayer:
Father God, only a fool despises the instruction,
advice and correction of Godly parents; but those who listen and heed their
words are wise. When our parent's counsel comes from Your Word, give us the
wisdom to obey and to follow their advice. Our parents have been around the
block a few times and can help us to navigate our way (Proverbs 15:5).
With age comes wisdom from the school of life. The
same is true of the wisdom from above, which is holy, amiable, sympathetic,
submissive to the Father, full of mercy and the fruit of the Spirit, unbiased
and genuine (James 3:17). Help us to hear Your voice, to heed Your wisdom
and to realize that the only safe place in this world is in Your presence.
Thought
for the Day:
Jesus
spent time in the Father's presence and filled His Spirit with God's Words; He
did or said nothing that He did not first see God say or do. - John 5:44
