Alone on Purpose

Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side…while He sent the multitude away.

(Mark’s Gospel, 6:45)  

There are some things that only you can do.  And some of them you can only do alone.

Sometimes you need to be alone on purpose. 

We see an example of this in Jesus’ life.  Picture if you can.  There’s a large crowd by the sea shore.  They’re patting their full bellies, reclining on the soft green grass with the warm sun smiling down on them and a gentle breeze lulling them toward an afternoon siesta.  Life is good. Jesus is there—bread aplenty, all sicknesses healed, and a great sermon to boot. 

But Jesus was done. 

Not done with them but done for now. 

He had something else to do and only He could do it and He could only do alone.

He needed to pray, He needed to talk to His Father.  For Him to be prepared for what lay ahead He needed to be alone.  But that doesn’t happen easily—not then, not now. 

Sometimes to be alone you have to be purposeful. 

The ONE THING for today: It has never been easier for people to crowd into your life.  Rings, vibrations, notifications, requests, reminders, pop ups, full inboxes…our lives have never been fuller and busier with people.  But remember, there are some things that can only be done alone.  You must carve out time to be alone on purpose if you hope to keep your sanity and fulfill your mission in life.