In Mark 1:35–39 Jesus woke up early in the morning and went out to a solitary place to pray. The prior evening the entire town had gathered for healing and deliverance. Though quite tired, Jesus sensed his need to align himself with his Audience of One , which seems quite evident when his disciples found him later that day. “Everyone is looking for you!” they exclaimed, perhaps exasperated that their healer-leader had left them with a waiting room filled with the sick. No doubt Jesus’ fame from the day before had them ready to launch a full-scale healing crusade. They wanted to share in the glory and excitement. Jesus had other plans; he had heard from his Father during his time of solitude. “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also,” Jesus informed them. “That is why I have come.” Serving leaders stay aligned with their core mission. Otherwise the good can replace what’s best.

Lead, love, and serve, like Jesus!

KEY QUESTIONS: Do I schedule regular times of solitude to recalibrate and align with my vision, mission, and values? Has the applause of others ever driven my decision making? Have I ever sacrificed what is best by doing something that was only good?