WATCHWORD:
And in the morning, a great while before day, Jesus rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35
36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” 42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” Matthew26:36-42
Meditation:
Me Time
I am grateful to so many of you reading these Watchwords and who, in your own readings, have forwarded to me poems, thoughts and ideas that eventually find their way into Watchwords. Some of you have connected me with websites which you favor, and they too prove to be valuable sources of ideas. One such site linked me to the Daily Stoic where the content is often right over my head, but every now the then, something opens a brain cell or two. Such was the following that touched me and I hope you can relate from your own experience.
“It was in the morning. Or it was at night. Marcus Aurelius took time for himself—whatever was happening, wherever he was, to sit and think and write. Brand Blanshard marvels at what Marcus was able to accomplish there in the “midnight dimness,” alone with his pages and his thoughts. Seneca, we know, took the time in the evening, after his wife had gone to sleep. He reflected on the day past. He wrote his letters. He examined himself.
What about you? When do you make time for the Lord?
A few minutes or a few hours, in the morning, at night or in the middle of the day, this idea of sacred time is important. You have to carve it out. You have to stick to it like clockwork. You need to use the stillness to be active. You need to focus, lock in—to your philosophy, to your work, to your self-examination. Of course, this isn’t the only time you’ll need. It’s just the minimum.
So make sure you give it—or take it—for yourself.”
Can you relate to that? For us, you and I, we may not be trying to think great philosophical thoughts, in all likelihood we are settling our minds with God, His graces and His Direction for our lives. For me it is usually an hour or more, early in the morning. The devotionals, the Scripture passages, the prayers, the meditation, and the quiet time in conversation with our Lord.
With amazing frequency, I find I have an answer to the question I pose to God each time: “What would you have me write, Lord.” Your question is probably different. Maybe it is “Help me, Lord”, or perhaps it is “I need Your direction, Lord.” Sometimes our focus is on people in our lives who are hurting, on travel mercies, on medical procedures. Such question-prayers are always answered, if we have patience and pay attention. So, take time for “God-time”. Take time to be Holy. So be it.
Final Point:
“Shut the world out, withdraw from all worldly thoughts and occupations, and shut yourself in alone with God, to pray to Him in secret. Let this be your chief object in prayer, to realize the presence of your heavenly Father.” — Andrew Murray
Prayer Lyrics:
Take Time to Be Holy
Take time to be Holy, speak oft with thy Lord.
Abide with Him always and feed on His word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on.
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide
And run not before Him whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow still follow they Lord,
And looking to Jesus trust in,
Trust in the Lord.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul.
Each thought and each motive beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shall be fitted for service above.
Amen.
