Back in the Garden

So John was beheaded in the prison...As soon as Jesus heard the news, He left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where He was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as He stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them...     (Matthew 14:10-14 NLT)

It's been about a month since I last wrote a blog entry.  To be transparent, I really didn't feel ready to write after my dad leaving this life.  It's difficult to be transparent and care about others at the same time are grieving.  It was far too easy to pay attention to my loss more than I paid attention to the lives of those around me.

As I was working together with Jeni Bolton last week to prepare for our weekend services (Click Here to watch!), we came across the story of Jesus in Matthew 14.  In it, Jesus lost someone close to him: John the Baptist.  John and Jesus were cousins.  Their mom's were friends who helped one another.  They were born within a year of one another.  John prepared the way for, then baptized Jesus.  For Jesus, this was a great loss.

He responded the same way I did.  He retreated from his ministry.  He turned to solitude...the one place he could speak uninterrupted with his Heavenly Father.  He wanted to spend time to grieve.

He didn't get nearly as much time as I did, though.  The crowds found out where he was going and followed him.  When they arrived, he didn't get angry with them.  He didn't hide from them.  He didn't send them away.  No, he had compassion on them instead.  He cared about their troubles more than his own.  He considered them more important than himself.  He ministered to them.

I want to be like Jesus.  I don't want to get caught up in my troubles or losses.  I want to turn to my Heavenly Father for comfort and wisdom, then attend to the purpose He has for me here.  I want to see people the way God sees them...with compassion.  I want to use the gifts He has given me to serve those He puts in my path.  I want to truly love my neighbor as myself.

Thank you, Lord, for your model, your strength, and your peace.