Calm Amidst Chaos: What is the Secret?

Mark 1:35-39

The 2017 iPhone App of the Year is called, simply enough, "Calm."  I discovered it on Instagram.  Their mission is simple yet profound:  "We're here to help you cultivate a regular meditation practice, sleep better and feel happier."

The Instagram posts are lovely: usually it's a sunset, or the ocean waves lapping the shoreline, or a beautiful flower.  These words scroll across the screen:  do nothing for 15 seconds.  And they even count the seconds down as you take in the spectacular sunset, the mesmerizing waves,  the gorgeous flower.

Please raise your hand if you don't need any 'calm' in your life.  No hands?  I didn't think so.  My workplace always has drama.  My family life is busy and yes, often stressful.  What about school?  Our political landscape?  'Calm' is hardly the word I would use to describe America in 2018, or probably anywhere else, 2018.

And "Calm" is the Facebook app of the year.  Certainly we all need more 'calm' in our lives!

What did Jesus do when he needed calm in his life?  Verse 35 tells us that "very early in the morning while it was still dark, he got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." His goal, contrary to "Calm's" mission, wasn't to sleep better and feel happier.  His goal was to serve His father.  He told his disciples when they finally tracked him down and told him that people were looking all over for him: "Let us go to the nearby villages - so I can preach there also.  That is why I have come. (v. 38)"  He had a mission, and he fulfilled it.  He grew in faith as he spent time with his Father.

Dear Bible Blast readers, I wish I could tell you that I, too, daily seek a solitary place and meet my Father for prayer.  I struggle mightily to incorporate daily prayer in my life.  My prayers are often fleeting and self-centered, and I rarely linger at the throne long enough to hear God's still, small voice. It's much easier to click on the 'calm' Instagram photo, enjoy 15 seconds of nature, and return to my busy life, hoping that God will bless me.

The Christian life doesn't work that way.  True peace, and yes, calmness, only comes when we invest time getting to know the Lord of the universe.

Lord, help me take time to seek a solitary place and spend time in prayer.  Thank you that you forgive me when I fall short, which is often.  Help me to seek your face and know how much you love me and have a future and a hope waiting for me. Grant me calmness that only comes from you. In Jesus name, Amen.  

Communication Helps Get the Job Done

Communication is so important.

 

You communicate constantly with your spouse as the two of you are raising your children. You communicate frequently with your children. You want everyone to be on the same page and both parents want to know the emotional and behavioral health of their children.

 

At work you communicate with your boss frequently. What are today’s priorities? Are we keeping our current customers happy? What needs to be done to attract new customers? What additional support is required?

 

Communication is the only way to know what your boss wants done and also the only way he knows what barriers are in your way.

 

Today’s reading, Mark 1:35-39, is about communication. Jesus is about to continue his preaching. Before he goes, however, he goes to a solitary place and prays to his Father.

 

Unhindered with interruptions, Jesus has a deep conversation with his Father, and apparently learns that he should preach elsewhere -- in the villages of Galilee.

 

Jesus was on a mission and he prayed about that mission with his Father. The Bible cites numerous instances of Jesus praying. Prayer, that is communication with his Father, was ingrained in his daily routine.

 

Like Jesus, we are sent on a mission. Our mission and Jesus’ mission are one and the same. It is multi-faceted and includes loving our neighbor, worshiping God and making disciples.

 

To complete our mission, we need to be in constant communication with our boss, that is, God. Through prayer, He will help us identify opportunities and provide hints for being effective. He will also provide comfort when things are not going so well.

 

We are told to pray constantly, that is, to keep God in our daily decision making process. This helps incorporate God’s Will in our daily routine. As today’s lesson suggests, however, there are times when we need to be more contemplative in our prayer and we need to be unhindered with interruptions.

 

Just like we communicate to our boss and our family members, we need to communicate with our heavenly Father and heavenly Boss. It needs to be ingrained in our daily routine.

 

Communication helps get the job done!