Jesus often withdrew to be alone and spend time with his Father. Over the holidays for Grow Daily we are seeking to slow down and be reflective.

“We hear the refrain “I’m great, just busy” so often we assume pathological busyness is okay. After all, everybody else is busy too. But what if busyness isn’t healthy? What if it’s an airborne contagion, wreaking havoc on our collective soul?”¹

Each day will have a short bible passage and question to contemplate. Consider how you might use these daily passages and questions to withdraw from the busyness of life and spend time with your heavenly Father.

Mark 1:32-38

³² That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴ and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ³⁶ Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 

There would have been no shortage of people to heal, he could have stayed much longer yet he left and went somewhere else despite the fact that everyone one was looking for him and wanted him to stay. Jesus did not always do what people expected him to do. Are there ways that you give in to the expectations of others instead of being faithful to Jesus?

Pray

1. Comer, J., 2019. The Ruthless Elimination Of Hurry: How To Stay Emotionally Healthy And Spiritually Alive In The Chaos Of The Modern World. Waterbrook Press.