“..and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.”   –Mark 10:1

It didn’t matter where Jesus went, a crowd of people followed him. Today, I wondered, “Would I have been one of those people?”

I don’t think so.

My plans are too important. Yep, I said it. I don’t think I would have taken the time out of my  pre-planned “schedule” to go listen to what Jesus had to say. Think about it–these people dropped whatever emergencies, engagements, travel, jobs and responsibilities they had in order to go. They neglected good things to just listen??

Since beginning a full-time job, I have found it difficult to develop a daily habit of spending time alone with Jesus. If I am honest, my desire to know Him has paled in comparison with my desire to please the people around me. I want to be the best wife, teacher, sister, daughter and friend every single day, and there is simply no time left for the Lord.

This year, my second year at work, God has really renewed in my heart a deep longing to be quiet together and dig into what His Word has to say to me. And through it, He is reorienting my sense of purpose. He is teaching me how to let Him carry my burdens. He reminds me that His approval of me is not based on a checked off to-do list. And He tells me that my to-do list is not even my primary purpose in my job!! (There is A LOT of freedom there.)

So, what has helped me press pause on the thoughts swirling in my head to spend even 15 minutes with Him?

Let me say first that God’s grace here has been significant. I begged Him for a desire to spend time with Him and He delivered. I’m so thankful. Practically, I have  also gotten a lot more sleep this year than last, and that definitely helps with waking up early. But I think the most important contributor has been time spent worshiping Jesus.

To me, worship is declaring who God is. Worship fuels my desire to know God more, a desire to sit at His feet.

Worship reminds me that this is the Creator and Ruler of the universe we are dealing with!  Everything is worth leaving behind to be with Him.

The sweetest part is that the more I sacrifice my “good things” to sit with Jesus, the more I desire Him.

His love is loyal, friends. Even when we neglect to think of Him, He loves us the same. Live in that love this week.

What good thing will you give up this week so that you can be with Jesus?

The river is extremely high after the hurricane.

Despite a few fallen trees, our neighborhood was unphased! Very thankful none of ours fell.

Gorgeous fall weather here!