Friday, January 10, 2014

Friday Devotion - Jan 10

It's the beginning of a new semester and, if you're like me, you probably feel like you're brain's being forced to gear back up after a long, relaxing Christmas break. The next sixteen weeks will be hectic. Soon, if not already, you will be bombarded with classes, studying, homework, group projects, clubs, sporting events, trivia nights, Bible studies, church events, parties, movie nights, and all sorts of things. With a few notable exceptions – i.e. the school related aspects of that list – this is all good stuff that we will be filling our lives with. But even if it’s mostly good stuff that fills our lives, it doesn’t change the fact that our lives are indeed full.
 
With this in mind, I would like to encourage everyone to take time each day this semester to spend in calm silence and prayer. Just a little piece of time each day to reflect on your goals, your life, and your relationship with God. And a piece of time to forget about all the obligations and stresses of college life. It doesn’t seem natural in our competitive college lives spent trying to beat our classmates and impress grad schools and employers, but I think it is a very important thing for every person to do.
 
Jesus prayed. He was a busy guy constantly teaching and healing large crowds of people, arguing with Pharisees, and making his way toward Jerusalem to give up his life. But he still found time to pray. There are several instances of Jesus sending away large crowds and retreating to a solitary place to pray. And when Jesus was in agony in the garden of Gethsemane, he went off alone to pray.
 
So take the example of your Lord, Jesus Christ, and remember to make regular time for yourself this semester.

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