The man who was the wisest on Earth declared that there was nothing new under the sun.
But if there's nothing new under the sun that means that busyness is not a modern invention nor was it a consequence of the age of technology. Carving out quiet time to seek God isn't a new issue plaguing our post-modern society. Being constantly bombarded by people with needs you can actually meet isn't unique.
Nor is the need to obey God even if it means leaving some of those needy people to go where He sends you.
I ran smack into that reality when God asked me to leave my job and family to go on an 18-month sabbatical abroad. I was a primary breadwinner. My car was a main form of transportation. How could leaving be a responsible or godly action?
Looking at Jesus
In Mark chapter 1, verses 35 to 39, it says, "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, ‘Everyone is looking for You.’ But He said to them, ‘Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.’ And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons."
For a little background to the verses:
1. Jesus had just gone through a period of preaching and healing of the sick and had healed Simon's mother-in-law
2. He is still preventing the demons from saying who He is.
3. People know about Him and have been bringing the sick and the demon-possessed to Him.
What does this reveal about Him?
1. He prioritised talking to God before starting His day.
2. Early in the morning is the only time he found solitude.
3. He had obviously gotten direction from God from His period of praying.
The disciples told Him that everyone was looking for Him, so the need for Him still existed; but His obedience to God dictated that He must go on to the other villages to preach because that's why He came.
What does this reveal about prayer?
1. It's a daily thing. Thinking about the Lord's prayer, it speaks to our attitude to greet each day. Meeting with God sets that tone for us.
2. We wouldn't need solitude if we were just talking at God and not leaving quiet space for hearing from Him.
3. We need to be free of distractions in the "solitary place" for communication to flow between us and the Lord.
4. When we can't find the Lord, we should seek Him out. We should go where we can hear Him.
Jesus was obedient and left the needy behind to go where God needed Him.
I had to contend with that when I chose to obey and leave for those 18 months. It wasn't easy, because my family's needs didn't disappear magically when I obeyed. They had to adjust to being without me, and I hated watching them being uncomfortable and lacking the things I had willingly contributed.
But as a living sacrifice, my primary concern was to go where God wanted and stay as long as he wanted me to stay there.
After all, He's the real provider, not us. He can see those needs as clearly as we can, and He'll deal with them in another way. Our joy will be complete when we trust Him and do what He sent us to do.
So we must ask ourselves, are we staying somewhere because we are needed instead of going where God has asked us to go?