Feb 26 - "Getting Through"

Mark 2:1-12
"When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in the front door; and he was speaking the Word to them. Then some people came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, carried by the four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat, on which the paralytic lay."
************************************
It is amazing how full of "things" our lives can be, at times. Between family, work, kids' activities...trying to exercise and stay healthy...our favorite TV shows, reading a book...and let's not forget we still need to eat and sleep every day...time can really fly by due to the number of items we "need" to get done in the daily course of our lives. Is it so hard to believe, then, that it is hard for us to make room for Jesus?

The clutter of our day stacks up against us. The things we have chosen...and sometimes not chosen...which churn through the minutes and hours can put up a barrier between each of us and a relationship with God, and His son, Jesus. We barrel along through our day, and then a week goes by...then a month. We realize we haven't spent time in prayer, or gone to church, or simply reveled in the majesty of Creation or the simple joy of a goodnight kiss on the forehead of a sleeping child.

But like many of the things we do each day and week, we are fully able to make finding Jesus a "habit". It can be in the simplest thing...a short prayer before bed time, or when we first open our eyes each day. It can be anytime we are feeling thankful...or full of the Spirit when our favorite song comes on the radio (or iPod) and we feel moved to sing along at the top of our lungs, a huge smile spread across our faces.

For me, I always try to remember to say a prayer after each time I go for a run. Before I step foot back into our house (or hotel, very often as of late), I stop, close my eyes and say; "Heavenly Father, thank you for this run today. Thank you for giving me a spirit to run, so that I can be healthy...and for keeping me healthy, so that I can run." I then take a moment to thank God for the work He is doing in my life at that time; for watching over my family. I pray for help or guidance, peace or strength...or all of them...and then praise Him for the graceful, merciful and majestic Lord that He is. I finish with, "Heavenly Father, I offer these prayers of thanks, petition and praise to You in the name of Your son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, as one God, now and forever. Amen." I find myself renewed.

In whichever form it comes, we need to find a way to clear away the clutter and be in personal communion with Jesus. We are compelled to make a determined effort, digging through the detritus of our daily lives, to be with Him. Not because Jesus needs it or God demands it as some type of ticket to Heaven. No, we need to do it because our spirits thirst for it!

So, are you getting through? Will you make time today to quench the thirst? Take time, take this moment to be with Him and be refreshed.