Friday, May 8, 2020

“Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her.” – Mark 1:30-31

At once. 

When Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, the disciples told Jesus about her at once. Immediately. Without hesitation and without debate. 

What inspires me about these two words is that they capture the disciples’ insight about how much they needed Jesus. I am challenged by their example. I’m a ruminator, a ponderer, a dweller, a worrier. I spend a lot of time in my head. And what that means is I often turn to Jesus…eventually, after I’ve had a chance to think things over and try to figure them out for myself. I believe that bringing my cares, my ideas, my questions, and my pain to Jesus first is always the best place to start. But I need passages like this to remind me what living like that looks like. When we orient ourselves toward Jesus, when to turn to him at once with whatever we need, we are always starting in the right place, regardless of the size, scope, or severity of our concerns. 

And when we turn to him, we don’t receive a cold shoulder. Our requests for help aren’t met with indifference. When Jesus learned that Simon’s mother-in-law needed healing, he “went to her, took her hand and helped her up.” He heard and he responded in the way only he could. Jesus has a heart for our suffering. Jesus responds to our requests for help as only he can. Jesus never said we need to muddle through our problems on our own, or that we can only approach him once we’ve charted out a good solution. Whatever your day holds, may you bring your needs to Jesus at once, and may you experience the guidance and healing that can only come from orienting yourself toward him.