Scripture:

Mark 1:32-39
32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door.
34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
36 Simon and his companions searched for Him;
37 they found Him, and said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."
38 He said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for." 
39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
NASU


Thoughts:

Jesus models how we ought to live our lives.  He gets His direction from the Father (verse 35) and obediently follows through (verses 38 and 39), though others may not have understood and may have wanted another plan (verse 37).  After all, Jesus had started an amazing work and many lives were being touched (verses 32-34), but it was not the will of His Father to stay.

It doesn't take long in the Christian life before you find yourself at a crossroads such as this.  You have sought the Lord's will, but others think they know better His will for you or simply aren't as convinced as you are. 

While we must never be presumptuous or arrogant in our belief about God's direction for us, we must also realize that in most cases we are going to find God's will for us in our times alone with Him, not from a brother or sister in the Lord.  Agreement with the opinion of others is not the ultimate test of His will for us, agreement with the scripture is.  Like Jesus here, we must find those quiet times alone to receive guidance from our Father and then follow through on how He directs us.


Prayer:

Lord, give me faith to follow You.  My faith is so small!

Thank You for involving me in Your will.  Thank You for meeting me in those quiet times and guiding me through this life.

Amen