Read Mark 1:35–37

Dave Cowens, former star basketball centre for the Boston Celtics, suddenly disappeared. Without warning, he walked off the practice court, showered, dressed, and drove away. Alone.

He kept driving to...somewhere. His only explanation was the familiar comment, “I need to get my head together.” He added that it could take as little as two weeks or as much as 10 years. The sportscasters, management, team, spectators, and fans couldn’t imagine what he was looking for.

I could.

The Carpenters, a popular folk-song duo of a bygone era, used to do a musical piece that helps explain the superstar’s puzzling reaction. It’s a peaceful soul-song that talks about needing a place to hide away...to be quiet...to think things through...to be alone.

Jesus, amid a growing popularity and an intensifying public ministry, incorporated into His routine an opportunity to do the same:

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” (Mark 1:35–37)

There will always be competing voices—a chorus of well-meaning people looking to influence your decisions, alter your attitude, and govern your future. But only God knows what is best. That’s why including in your day a time when you, like Jesus, can seek Him in a quiet place makes sense. That’s what prayer looks like. Being alone with God.

The day, the endless meetings, upcoming appointments, and nonstop get-togethers with family and friends, will be there waiting for you to emerge from your time with the Lord. By getting away and being “lost in wonder, love, and praise,” as Charles Wesley once put it, you will have found yourself in Him. And you’ll be better equipped to face life’s never-ending demands with quiet confidence.

Devotional content taken from Good Morning, Lord...Can We Talk? by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2018. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.

The full devotional can be purchased at https://www.tyndale.com/p/good-morning-lord-can-we-talk/9781414380681.