"Come away to a deserted place all
by yourselves and rest a while."—Mark 6.31
Of course, after Jesus tells the
disciples this, they go apart. How long
were they apart? I don’t know. But the people figure it out and start there
on foot and eventually find them. When
they do, it says that Jesus had compassion on them because they were like sheep
without a shepherd. And he begins to teach them.
There’s a rhythm in the gospels of rest
and action. There were even times when
Jesus seemed to be slow in responding to people. (Lazarus dying, Jairus’ daughter). But Jesus knew the right rhythm. He knew how to play his part.
I pray daily to live out that rhythm,
the rhythm of God’s piece of jazz. It’s
a difficult tune. Sometimes the chord
progression surprises you. But, oh, when
you catch the melody, it’s heaven!
Sometimes the rhythm is slow and methodical. Sometimes, the rhythm speeds up in the heat
of an improvised section. And sometimes,
you just hold on for dear life.
How about you? How is your rhythm? Are you in tune with God’s rhythm? Are you taking time to be with Jesus? Are you doing the work to which you are
called? Are you in sync? Have you been away with Jesus lately? Have you responded to those who are in
need? Are you paying attention to the
beat that the Heavenly Band Leader is snapping out?
O Lord, it’s so difficult to find that
balance, to make those priorities, to play that perfect rhythm. And you know I’m going to mess up! You know, I’ll miss a beat now and then. You know I’ll miss an intro or chord
change. You know I’ll even play the
wrong note now and then. I plead for
your grace and patience with me. I’m
still learning to play. So, help me
God. So, help me, God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
