September 9 (Mark 1:37-38)
When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them,
too. That is why I came.” (NLT)
Jesus had been healing
many people, and suddenly everyone was looking for Him. Wasn’t that a good thing? It was, but it wasn’t why Jesus had come, and
He was not going to let anything get in the way of His mission, not even good deeds. As important as the direct healing of sick
people was, His principal work was to share the good news that the kingdom of
God was at hand, that God was actually on earth making reconciliation with Him
possible for all people.
You probably do many good
things for those around you, but ask yourself this. How much of your life is spent doing what you
were called to do? Now, don’t get this
wrong. No one is saying to ignore a need
in front of you just to do something you think is grand and important. But seriously, how much of your life is taken
up in nice, pleasant, even beneficial activities that are keeping you from what
God sent you and only you to do?
And do you even know what
that is? Jesus had a clear sense of His
mission. He knew what the Father had
sent Him to do. Do you? If you do not spend time with God, listening
to what He has to say to you, you will spend your life in a flurry of activity,
much of it good, but will miss the unique calling He has for you.
Father, rather than asking You to bless my efforts, I come to You today asking what Your will for me is. Show me the tasks to which You have truly called me, and may I be quick to perform them. I ask in the name of Jesus, amen.
Copyright © 2018 by Steven R. Perkins
