Monday, 12 November 2007 01:00 | and posted in Spiritual Disciplines
Jesus was incredibly busy!
Sometimes I think His life must have been similar to being a leader on an SU holiday - "Help I've lost my money", "I miss my Mum.", "I think I've broken my ankle", "When are we going swimming?"
He didn't get asked these questions, in fact the questions he got asked were even more demanding. "How many times should I forgive my brother?", "Please heal my son.", "Who will we be married to in heaven?", "Whose fault is it that this man is blind?"
And it wasn't just questions he had to deal with all the time - he was healing people, listening to people and telling brilliant stories
If that was me I would be so grumpy when I got home, and I would be moaning and complaining big time!
But there was something different about Jesus, he stayed calm, he had the right words to say at just the right time, he was really sharp, and used humour brilliantly. He never ignored people and was alert to the needs of everyone around him.
One day he was in a big crowd and an old lady who had been ill for 12 years touched his coat, just on the off chance that He might heal her. She was too embarrassed, too used to being rejected to ask Him for help. As soon as she touched him she was well. Jesus said "Who touched me?" - the disciples said "You what? Everyone's touching you!" But Jesus knew. He found the woman and told her she now had peace in her life.*
Why was Jesus so sorted? Why was he so calm and peaceful and in control when life was frantic and hectic and manic around him? He was God's son, but he was also human just like me and you, so how did he do it?
The answer is he spent time alone with God. He went away on his own and prayed and chilled out. He built time into his day when things weren't so crazy. He made himself stop and relax, and he took those opportunities to chat with Father God. Do you do that?
Jesus life was full, he wasn't lazy! But he knew how to make life good, by filling his days with space for reflection so that he was ready for the tough times, the challenging times, and the dangerous times.
FOOTNOTE:
* You can check out this story in Mark 5:21-34