Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

—Mark 1:35-39 (TNIV)

Here we see a key to Jesus’ power: his prayer life. Being fully human, our Lord had to engage in the discipline of prayer to help him discern God’s will, jut like the rest of us must. I also love the dynamic of this story. Here we have Peter and his companions searching for Jesus. When they find him, they exclaim that, “Everyone is looking for you!” Indeed. Anyone who has ever gotten a taste of our Lord wants more. After all, he is life and who does not want life?

Sadly, though, there are some who are blinded to Jesus and consequently do not look for him. In this season of Lent, ask yourself if you are looking for Jesus (even if you have already found him). If you are not, ask yourself why. Examine your life to see if you are truly happy or if there is something in you (or your life) that is missing. Take a chance and ask Jesus to show you what that is. If you have a Christian friend you trust, ask him or her to help you in this endeavor.

Likewise, if your pursuit of Christ is only part time or half-hearted, ask yourself why. Examine yourself honestly to discover what in you is holding you back and then ask our Lord to help you rid yourself of those things so that you can grow in your relationship with him. After all, what relationship ever grows when one or both parties are only half-hearted about it?

If you are seeking Jesus with all that you are and have, and growing in your relationship with him, give thanks to Jesus for this grace and ask him to help you to continue to grow in grace.