Friday, October 16

Scripture:

“…and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”’ Mark 1:37-38

Observation:

Jesus models for us in this passage setting boundaries. His disciples tell him that everyone is looking for him; they need him, they’re expecting more from him. Although that would have been a good thing to say yes to, Jesus knew that he had even more important work he needed to continue elsewhere. He identified the priority and set the appropriate boundary.

Application:

Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no. It’s okay to say no! We’ve been working this week on identifying priorities to manage stress, and this is the next step in that process. It’s time to set boundaries to protect those priorities.

Prayer:

Jesus help me to know how and when to say no. Help me to hear your caution when I want to say yes to something that will take me away from your better plans for me today. Help me to see the bigger picture, and invest the time you’ve given me into the places and people you’ve called me to. Amen.