An example to consider when you’re in just too much of a hurry

By Dean Collins

Even in a pandemic there is so much to do!

I have traveled less than any year of my working career. I’ve had fewer in-person meetings than ever in my life, and yet I am the busiest I have ever been. Covid-19 is an interesting virus. If you get it you find yourself slowing down—some only briefly with minor symptoms and others for weeks, months, or even forever. But if you don’t get it, you might find yourself even busier. Maybe you’re taking care of someone or have double the work because the labor force is down. While revenue is down for many businesses, the work load is increasing for those still employed.

Moving fast

When I think of busy, I consider the Gospel of Mark. Of the four Gospels it moves the fastest. Most scholars believe Peter was the one behind the scenes, supplying Mark with most of the content. And if you know anything about Peter, you understand how his influence may explain the pace of this short Gospel. Peter was a man of action. Sometimes this got him into trouble He was often slow to think and quick to speak and act. And we all know the dangers of that approach to life. Like Peter, when we are so urgent about everything , we sometimes say and do stupid and unnecessary things as we rush from one item to the next.

When we are so urgent about everything , we sometimes say and do stupid and unnecessary things as we rush from one item to the next.

But let’s focus on Jesus, the subject of the Gospels. At first we may think Jesus is very busy as we read Mark’s Gospel. Here we see Jesus racing to the finish line as Mark tells the story. Over forty times Mark uses the word immediately to describe the movements of Jesus. The Savior of the world is immediately doing this and that, healing in this town, casting out demons in that one, in and out of synagogues teaching and rebuking.

And maybe we think, Why not? In fact if you agree that the country and even the whole world is in a bit of a mess, you might want to cheer Jesus on. Hurry up Jesus! Finish your work and get back here quickly. We are in a mess! I think of my grandson calling me from the next room. “Big,” he hollered. (“Big” is his name for me.) “Hurry! I need some help in here!” Most of us have similarly cried out to God, maybe with those exact words.

Seeking God

But if you look closely, even in Mark’s hurry-up style, Jesus isn’t actually always in a hurry. In fact it doesn’t appear he is ever in a hurry, really. After a busy first chapter of Mark that runs from John the Baptist preparing the way, the baptism of Jesus, the wilderness encounters and attacks by the devil, the launch of his ministry, the calling of the disciples, and the preaching and healing of a couple people in different places, suddenly Jesus has gone missing.

A search party is deployed, the disciples and “everyone “ are looking for Jesus. Maybe he was tired of the pace. Maybe everyone’s agenda and urgent needs overwhelmed him. We suddenly realize that Jesus actually isn’t bothered by everyone else’s urgency at all. Jesus is modeling what he would later explain: Seek God first. The disciples found Jesus alone, in a desolate place in the dark, before the chaos of the day began, praying to his Father in Heaven.

He finished his morning prayer and didn’t give an explanation. I suspect he knew the disciples would eventually catch on because they would see him again and again pulling away, even when there was so much to do. They would learn what he was modeling for them: Doing the will of God must always begin with spending time with the One whose will we are to accomplish.

You likely have much to do today. I certainly know I will be busy. But if you want to do the will of the Father, then I suggest you check in with him first before you allow the urgency of someone or something’s agenda to control you.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:35-39‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Photo by Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash

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