1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
2) Scripture Reading: Mark 6:30-32
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”
3) Devotional
Reflection is a word about which one should take a moment to think. The definition I like is offered by John Maxwell when he suggests that “reflection is the pause that gives the person perspective.”
Reflection is a word about which one should take a moment to think. The definition I like is offered by John Maxwell when he suggests that “reflection is the pause that gives the person perspective.”
Life is a series of experiences, one after another. Reflection turns experience into insight. Life moves quickly. 60 seconds soon becomes 60 minutes which before long has lead us through the routine of 24 hours that multiplies itself by seven and is called one week…..Every person on earth has the same number of seconds in a week but not all persons have learned the value of gaining wisdom from life.
A reflective person has learned to pause in evaluation so that when they begin again in another daily cycle of experience they are the wiser and better prepared because of the insight gained from yesterday.
In the Mark passage, Jesus said to his disciples in the midst of a large pressing crowd to come away and reflect with him. A valuable part of resting well is reflecting deeply. The discipline it takes to invest 10 minutes a day to glance back will give you energy and creativity as you fix your gaze onto the next new day of opportunity. Just remember, Jesus, though not jotting down his thoughts on paper, he took the time - I think he offers us a valuable model to follow.
4) Questions to Consider
Take 10 minutes before you go to bed and write the answers to these questions down:
Take 10 minutes before you go to bed and write the answers to these questions down:
- Who did I see and interact with today?
- What things did I attempt to accomplish today?
- How well did I do with my interaction with people and with applying excellence to all the projects I began?
- What could I have done better and therefore, what will I do tomorrow if that same situation presents itself?
If you will take the time to do it for the next 10 days I believe you will see results that will encourage you …to keep doing it.
5) Prayer
Lord, I just need to be with you - for a long time. I can see that there are a lot of things in me that need to change...show me one small step I can take to begin to build a life around you. Lord, help me develop an effective plan in my life of paying attention to you whether I am working, resting, studying, or praying. In Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, I just need to be with you - for a long time. I can see that there are a lot of things in me that need to change...show me one small step I can take to begin to build a life around you. Lord, help me develop an effective plan in my life of paying attention to you whether I am working, resting, studying, or praying. In Jesus' name, amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
