Morning is one of my favorite times of the day—especially in winter and early spring—when I wake before the sun rises, settle onto the sofa, and let the warmth of our gas fireplace wrap around me. There’s something comforting about that first cup of hot coffee mixed with milk, the soft quiet of the house, and a few minutes to scroll through the news or watch a couple of YouTube videos—construction techniques, politics, international stories, or the occasional “lions vs. crocodiles” clip the algorithm insists I’m interested in.
On the best mornings, I time everything well enough that after this small ritual, I still have the space to open my Bible and settle into Scripture. But on workdays—when I hit snooze one too many times—my quiet moments by the fire shrink, and I’m rushing to shower, dress, and get out the door. Weekends aren’t always much better; the to-do list waits for no one. Some days I wake up early enough for unhurried time with God; other days, even my “rest days” feel packed.
As I read the Gospels, I began to notice how Jesus handled His own mornings—and His own need for quiet.
Mark gives us a striking glimpse into Jesus’ rhythm of solitude:
“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.”
— Mark 1:35 (NIV)
Other passages echo this pattern:
- After feeding thousands, “He went up on a mountainside to pray.” (Mark 6:46)
- After hearing of John the Baptist’s death, “He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” (Matthew 14:13)
- Before choosing the Twelve, “Jesus… spent the night praying to God.” (Luke 6:12)
Jesus—God in human flesh—regularly sought solitude after emotionally draining encounters, miraculous moments of service, interactions with the Pharisees, or seasons of anticipation and sorrow. He prayed on mountains, by lakes, in gardens. And often, He sought God in the dark—early morning or late at night—before the demands of the day claimed His attention.
His solitude wasn’t escape. It was alignment.
It was connection.
It was renewal.
It was the place where His heart returned to the Father before returning to the crowds.
And if Jesus needed this, how much more do we?
Our world offers endless distraction—work, notifications, projects, finances, relationships, responsibilities, hobbies, health concerns, the constant hum of urgency. Solitude doesn’t magically appear for us; it must be pursued on purpose.
Your fireplace.
Your car.
Your morning walk.
Your lunch break.
Your favorite chair.
Your late-night quiet after everyone sleeps.
Anywhere can become a “mountainside” or “solitary place” when we choose to meet God there.
SOAP Scripture: Luke 5:15-16
S: (scripture)
Read the above passage and underline, highlight, or write down passages that stand out to you. Maybe re-read it a few times if that’s helpful.
O: (observation)
Write down things you observe about the passage. Maybe it’s a word that stood out to you, something the passage made you think about, or a question that you have.
A: (application)
Write down some ways that the passage applies to your life. Make it personal.
P: (prayer)
Take a moment and pray. Ask God to make the passage practical to your everyday life.
