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. Simon and his companions went to
look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for
you!”
Jesus replied, “Let
us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is
why I have come.” So he traveled throughout
A man
with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you
can make me clean.”
Jesus was indignant.
He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be
clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
Jesus sent him away
at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go,
show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for
your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk
freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town
openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him
from everywhere.
Mark
1:35-45
We all need quiet
time and quiet space. But sometimes we use noise as a way to shut out the voice
of God. All those outside distractions keep us from hearing what God wants us
to do.
But Jesus, even in
His busiest times, made a point of seeking out places of solitude where He
could carry on a conversation with God. Even if we cannot find a place that is
perfectly quiet, we need to find a place to quiet our souls, a place where God
has our full attention.
Don’t let
the noise of the world keep you from hearing the voice of the Lord.
Our Daily Bread –