Have you ever noticed that many around you have a plan for your life? Family, friends, your boss and many others. If we are not careful, it is easy for us to be pulled in many different directions rather than focusing on those things that we believe God has called us to do. In addition, many of us have a hard time saying no to good things that can easily crowd out the best things which is why an account from Jesus’ life is so fascinating. It is found in Luke 4:38-44.

Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”  And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Reading this, one could say that Jesus was “on a roll” of healing and miracles and the people were clamoring for more of his time. And that would make sense. Ministry was happening and the crowds were enthralled. “Stay longer” they said, “don’t leave us, we need you.” But Jesus does something surprising under the circumstances. He declined their request, saying that He must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to other towns also, because that is why I was sent. 

But don’t miss one other detail. After all this marvelous ministry, Jesus went to a solitary place by himself. It was a place where He could be alone with the Father in prayer. He did this regularly. It was where He recharged his energy and communicated with the Father. It is also why Jesus always stayed on mission. He was clear about what God had called Him to do because He stayed close to the Father. Being on mission requires us to take time to think, reflect, and talk to God. He is ultimately the author of our mission.

Because He had spent time with the Father He was able to differentiate between the many voices who had agendas for His life and make decisions that were consistent with what God had called Him to do. In the end, He said no to the crowds so that He could focus on a larger mission.

Each of us has those voices telling us how we should spend our time and energy. What we should say yes to. Some of those voices, well meaning as they are, distract us from what God has called us to do. That is when we need to say a gracious no in order to say yes to God’s mission for our lives. The clarity and courage to do this comes out of our time and relationship with the Father so never neglect that priority.

Father, it is an amazing thing to be given a mission by you. Help me to discern between the good and the best, between the expectations of others and your call. Give me the courage to say a gracious no when it would conflict with your calling on my life. Amen.