Sometimes the day does not go as planned and you feel like a failure even before lunch.  The carefully thought out agenda for the day mocks you as the baby refuses to nap and grape juice drips onto your freshly mopped floors.

You listen to others talk about quiet times of prayer and devotion and you wonder how they possibly manage such a luxury when you are too busy kissing boo-boos, wiping noses and tripping over toys.  You long to just slip away for a moment.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place.  And He was praying there.  – Mark 1:35

It was dark.  It was deserted.  And He was praying.  Sounds positively peaceful and delightful, doesn’t it?

You’ve been there – in that moment when the planets have all aligned and somehow all of the children are momentarily entertained.  There is a brief whisper of time when you can slip away to your own little space and breathe deep.

And, just as you are about to pour your heart out to God…

Simon and his companions went searching for Him.  They found Him and said, “Everyone’s looking for you!”    -Mark 1:36-37

Someone comes searching for you.  They come knocking on the door.  They come asking for a snack, a toy, a hug.  Someone needs you and they have come into your dark, deserted place of prayer.

We do not know how long Jesus was in prayer when He was interrupted, but we can be sure it was not long enough.  When you finally get that moment with just yourself and God, does it ever last long enough?  Can’t you just feel the frustration and exhaustion?  He had been serving and healing and teaching all day and night and here, in the wee hours of the morn, He just needed some time.

Yes, you know the feeling well.

So, what should be the response to such an interruption?

And He said to them, “Let’s go on to the villages so that I may preach there too.  This is why I have come.”  – Mark 1:38

He left His quiet place and went to meet the needs of others.  Christ came, not to be served, but to serve.  And, like Him, we are called to be servants.  No one ever said it would be fun or glamorous.  The right thing is rarely the easy thing.

No matter the situation, Christ was always mindful of why He had come.  

So, when your day seems out of control, remember that He is always in control.

When Satan wants to distract you with plans gone awry and constant interruptions – think of Christ’s constant love and service to others and say, This is why I have come.