Take Time to Be Holy

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. Mark 1:35

In my car I carry granola bars, you know those hard crunchy ones that have two in a package. They are there for times when I am on the road and hungry. I can grab one of those to hold me over and give me a boost of energy. But I don't always use them for that. In fact, most of the time they are there when I don't have time to make something to eat. I just unwrap one of those bars and eat it on the way to where I am going. It may not be the most nourishing meal, but it’s convenient, quick and easy. 

It seems everything about our lives is based on convenience these days. Fast-food chains, pay at the pump, grab-and-go food products, DVR, and the list goes on. Smartphones are coming out with new apps daily to offer us a more convenient way to do things and in this busy world we live in, it’s easy to become hooked on the “quick and easy” approach to almost everything. 

When I mentioned above that I didn't have time to make something to eat. That really wasn't the case, I had the time, I just didn't make the time to eat properly. I chose the shortcut and in turn gave my body a meal that was less fulfilling and not as healthy. 

So often we do the same thing with out spiritual bodies. Even this blog can become a snare if we only prepare/read the daily post and forget about reading His word or take time to pray and connect with God personally. We tell ourselves that only reading this is better than nothing at all, which is true but more often than not we start using that as a crutch and excuse not to make more time. I am guilty of this way more than I would like to admit. 

This verse shows us that even in the midst of teaching, healing, traveling, and preaching, Jesus never allowed the pace of life to deter Him from spending time with His heavenly Father. If He had to wake up early to devote alone time with God then He would. 

I pray that today and this year we would resist the lure of convenience and take time to be alone with God. I pray that we would be like Jesus and make time in our busy schedules to focus on what is truly important and that is not what is going on in our lives but the one who gives us our lives...our relationship with our Lord and Savior.