Before you know it

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1. 35

I was challenged when I read about the initiatives being taken by my fellow minister, The Rev'd George al-Kopti of St Paul's church in Amman, who preached at our Easter celebration on Sunday. Like me, he has taken to writing a daily devotion for the church website. Such is the anticipation of this soul-food, that he received a phone call before 8.30am the other day asking why that day's offering hadn't already appeared!

I am getting off lightly. Nevertheless I am sufficiently used to the idea now, to feel uncomfortable until I have posted my own morsel. Not that it is a burden. As Mark noted in his gospel, it was our Lord's habit to get up early, take himself away to a quiet place and pray. Following his example, it would be odd if one was to come away with nothing. But God is generous and does not leave us empty-handed.

While delighted to share with you what I have received from the Lord in my personal communion with him, let me encourage you to avail yourself of an audience of your own with the King of Kings! Thanks to Jesus, that is the extraordinary opportunity that has been extended to each and every one of us: time with Lord, as much as we want, as often as we want. May you bask in his presence today, receptive even when his whisper contains a hard truth, alert to act upon whatever he commands you, willing to receive when all he chooses to do is to hold you...