I remember a trend several years ago when many Christians were wearing those bracelets with the letters “W.W.J.D.” printed on them. Do you remember that?
For a while we saw those bracelets everywhere! The letters WWJD meant “What Would Jesus Do?” and the question was meant to encourage believers to make decisions the way that Jesus would.
- How would Jesus respond?
- How would He react?
- What Would Jesus Do?
We can’t say for certain how Jesus would respond to every situation in our lives, but we can see what He did in His own life.
“…He would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16).
One instance of this stands out to me: After some of His followers brought news that His cousin, John the Baptist, had been killed, Jesus withdrew across the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:12-13). He wanted to spend some time alone and pray, but thousands followed on foot from the towns nearby. When Jesus landed on the Eastern shore and saw the crowds, He had compassion on them. He went there to be alone, yet He served the people there, healed many, and even performed a miracle (feeding the 5,000+).
But once that was done, He sent everyone away, including the disciples. “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,” (Matthew 14:23). He had gone there to be alone with God.
Jesus understood the importance of time alone with God in prayer. Even with thousands of people clamoring for His attention, He made time to be alone with His Father.
I look at this situation and relate it to my own life. What did Jesus do amid personal loss? In the midst of people’s needs? During His life?
He took care of the day’s needs and cared for others, but then
“… He went up on the mountain by himself to pray…”
I encourage you all to do the same.
Take care of the needs of the day, but at some point, send everyone and everything away so that you can be alone with God.
I pray blessings over you in the name of Jesus.
Blessings,
Dr. Aaron George Glover