When I worked as a Research Assistant in a Melanoma Cancer Genetics lab, it was my job to establish the procedure for harvesting and culturing neonatal mouse melanocyte cells. Only one lab in the world at that time was doing this protocol and they had invented it. I was trying to replicate their procedure in our lab so we could do a whole set of new experiments. I went through six months of trials, disappointments, failure after failure to the point where I was questioning my ability as a scientist. It was humbling to show up to my boss each week and admit that I had failed again. I cried, I got angry and I wanted to give up. It felt impossible. Then after 6 months, I had my first positive result. It was unbelievable! It worked.
Have you ever wanted to give up when life got too hard? Relationship problems, poor health, hurt feelings, disappointments, grief, exhaustion, unemployment, and many other things can make life's journey a very bumpy road that can leaving us feeling more like road kill rather than that exhilarating feeling of the wind through your hair.
At the moment I'm reading through the Gospel of Mark and I have been struck by Jesus' approach to his ministry. From the very beginning of his public ministry he faced attacks from Satan, intense opposition from the religious leaders, questions from the disciples asking for a "please explain" and an exponentionally growing interest from the public. From all fronts he is being accosted for good and bad reasons and I wonder how Jesus managed with the constant intense attention. For a little introvert like myself, these kinds of pressures would be enough to give me a nervous breakdown and requesting stress leave from work! But Jesus didn't give up under pressure or turn away from his task. He stayed focused and persevered.
We see in scripture Jesus' response when the going got tough, he sought solitude, rest and prayer. After healing Simon's mother-in-law from a fever, all the people brought the sick and demon-possessed. The bible says, "The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, " (Mark 1:33-34a). Immediately following this is "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1: 35). Jesus withdraws from the crowds several times during his ministry for rest and prayer (Mark 1:35; Mark 6:31-32, 46; Mark 14:32-36; Matthew 14:13, 23). We learn from scripture that Jesus' rest was found in God, his persevering to continue in suffering was rooted in prayer to God. Jesus demonstrated his utter dependence on God in his ministry and did not allow man to direct him (John 2:4; 7:6,8; 8:20). He even declared that what he says is what the Father has told him, "The words I day to you are not my own. Rather, it is the Father living in me, who is doing his work. (John 14:10b). Jesus lived moment by moment in constant dependence on the Father through tiredness, hunger, busyness, teaching, healing, being merciful and compassionate, through the insults, accusations, character assassinations, betrayal, abandonment of friends and finally murder.
We are called to follow Jesus' example. Are you following Christ's lead to depend on God in prayer for all things in all circumstances? Do you pray much at all? Give prayer a go this week and use scripture to help you pray. If you don't have the words to say then pray one of Psalmist's prayers or Ephesians 1:15-19b, 3:14-21; Philipians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-14.
Realise that our lack of faith does not nullify His faithfulness (Romans 3:3).
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