Priorities and Alligators

A DEVOTIONAL BY GUEST WRITER MARTIN LECKEBUSCH

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up…That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons… In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” Mark 1:29-39, NRSV

I once saw the following on an office poster:

All employees have a duty to maintain composure and professionalism while executing their assigned tasks in an efficient and timely manner. However, when you are up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember that you are actually there to drain the swamp.

It’s a pertinent reminder that tasks can multiply until they feel out of control, and even setting priorities becomes a major challenge.

Mark reminds us that Jesus knew what it was to be inundated with demands. This story is from early in his preaching and miracle-working. He has just done both in the synagogue in Capernaum; but at Simon’s house someone else needs healing. Soon, the place is surrounded: if Jesus wanted a quiet evening, any such hope fades away as he addresses the needs brought to him.

The following day, however, he is keen to move on. We might have thought the openness and expectancy in Capernaum were a golden opportunity: why not stay there? Instead, Jesus insists he must announce God’s kingdom elsewhere. His priorities include travelling widely, not simply answering every immediate problem.

So, on the one hand, Jesus appears driven by interruptions: sick people, hungry crowds, demon-possessed individuals. He responds with compassion. Yet on the other hand, he follows broader aims which may leave some people unhealed, and some missing out on his teaching. We see him sometimes pursuing set goals, but sometimes adapting to circumstances, opportunities or needs.

There is a key to balancing these contrasting demands: Jesus deliberately made time to pray. Time spent with his Father was critical to understanding what he was to do, and how, and where. It can be easy, when surrounded by those “alligators”, to dive straight into task lists or to tackle the next obvious crisis. Jesus’ example reminds us to see all those demands in a bigger context. An attitude of attentive openness to God can help with both overall direction and immediate guidance.

Pray along these lines: Lord Jesus, help me to build into my routine time spent with you, so that your priorities will shape my thinking, and so that in the heat of the moment I will be more attuned to your immediate prompting…

Martin Leckebusch is a prolific and talented hymn writer. For more information, go to: https://www.kevinmayhew.com/collections/martin-leckebusch