God's Gospel Truths
Luke 4:38-44
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
At sunset, people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Pondering Point
In this Gospel, we see Jesus taking time for various things -- each important in its own right. He definitely took time to heal people by laying hands on them -- long into the night even. Apparently He also took time to eat, based on Peter's mother-in-law waiting on them.
But He did not let the crowd’s needs dictate all of His time. He went away by Himself for a while (early in the morning in this case) and He took time to get beyond that immediate circle of people despite knowing that the current townspeople had needs. Don't let others dictate your schedule.
Let God dictate your schedule regarding others, regarding yourself, and regarding your time with Him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as I see Your example of managing your schedule, help me apply the basic lessons of carving out time for You and honoring no matter how many others are pressing in on my life. In Your name I pray. Amen.