Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Finding time to draw on the example and person of Jesus

Scripture Passage that Caught my attention today: Luke 4:22-24 At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. 43 But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.

Observation: Jesus took/made time for self-reflection and then was able to stay true to his calling rather than succumbing to the expectations of others.

Application: Many of us who serve in what are often called ‘helping professions’ have a tendency to want to—well, duh!—help people! It’s part and parcel of our calling, whether we serve in ministry, social work, education, medicine, law, counseling or whatever. This may sound strange, but we don’t always ‘help’ as much as we could or should because we are too busy ‘helping.’

In other words, in our efforts to meet the ever-expanding expectations of others we may end up not satisfying anyone—neither others or even ourselves. If you’ll pardon my paraphrase of Mic Jagger (albeit considerably out of its original context): we can’t get no satisfaction. We’re chasing a pipe dream.

Jesus knew he couldn’t satisfy everyone, so he made time for the kind of self-reflection and prayer that helped him keep focused on his true calling.

The start of a new year is an excellent time to experiment with our schedules, where possible, to fit in quality time for such devotional reflection and prayer.

For example, normally I read the lessons and then write these reflections in one block of time, preferably in the morning right after breakfast or right after a workout. But sometimes it takes longer than I think it should to write the reflections. So I’m experimenting with reading the lessons in one small block of time and then writing the reflections a little later.

Today I read the lessons during breakfast, then made a couple phone calls, had a good workout, and now, while cooling down from the workout, am composing these musings. It gives me a little more time to reflect on what I’ve read, more time to ‘listen’ and, hopefully, let the way that God speaks though the word more fully soak in.

Then perhaps I can offer the help I am truly called and equipped to offer—nothing more and nothing less.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the example we have in Jesus. Help us to continually learn from him and draw from him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Genesis 9-11 and Luke 4)

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