A performer who spins plates on sticks never ceases to fascinate me. He takes a stick and spins a plate on the tip of it. He then adds a second and a third plate. By the time he gets several plates spinning, the crowd is clapping and shouting encouragement. The more plates he spins, the louder the applause. When he has set 20 or more plates in motion, the crowd is up on their feet. They’re thinking, How does he keep all those plates spinning without any of them crashing? Check it out—the performer is moving like mad, frantically shifting from one stick to another as he keeps all the plates doing their thing!

Every day, large crowds came to hear or see Jesus (Mark 1:32,45; 2:2,13; 4:1). He was so busy ministering to people—shifting from one to another—that it became difficult and almost impossible for Him to be alone. People kept coming from everywhere to be with Him (1:45).

On one occasion, despite having ministered late into the night (v.32), Jesus got up before daybreak the next morning. If I had been there, I wouldn’t have skipped getting my zzz to get up at 4 a.m.! But Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray (v.35).

Jesus often withdrew from the crowd and deliberately sought out solitary places. It was a habit with Him (Luke 5:16, 6:12; Matthew 14:23). Why? He had a deep need to talk and fellowship with His Father. Jesus needed some time alone because He was human.

Being alone with God is an essential part of our life, and it also reveals our humanness and weakness. When we skip our time with God, we’re telling Him that we can keep all those plates—all the stuff of life—spinning perfectly all by ourselves.

Instead, let’s find a lonely place and spend some much needed time with our heavenly Father.