Mark 1:35, “Having risen a long while before daylight, Jesus went out to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

I’m a morning person; I have been all my life. There’s something about the peace and calm of the early morning that is so refreshing to me. It’s my quiet time, my devotional time. It helps me prepare for whatever the day may bring.

My text reveals that Jesus was a morning man as well. There’s no denying that Jesus loved people and was always around them, but He also needed to get away to spend time with His Father. In the early morning hours, with the moon still shining, He found a quiet place to pray.

Marlene and I have been blessed to take several cruises. I always get a room with a balcony so I can slip out while it’s still dark and enjoy time with God. I do the same whether at a mountain or the ocean. There’s something so calming about the sound of seagulls and waves lapping on the shore. For me, God’s presence in the quiet solitude is priceless.

God invites us not just to escape, but also to discover his Word. So let me encourage you to leave life’s noise and find a quiet place in the morning. Listen, because God speaks in the silence.