“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there” (Mark 1:35).

Solitude isn’t easy in a culture that encourages (and almost necessitates) a constant social connection with the world. You can pick up a phone right now, for example, and look at a dozen pictures of your family on vacation or a friend’s new baby. It is Western society’s nervous twitch.

In lobbies, coffee shops, gas stations, movie theaters, and church pews, phones are out and face-to-face interaction is avoided. Distraction isn’t a new problem exclusive to the 21st century, but it seems to be magnified in this day and age. We have so many things to distract us.

Jesus prioritized His time with the Father. Crowds followed Him at every corner, and there’s no reason to believe it was easy for Him to find solitude.

Still, He made a way. He woke up early to disconnect from the world and spend time with God. He went to deserted places. Solitude did not find Him — He pursued it.

Since undivided, solitary time with the Father marked the life of Christ, it should be a part of our routine, too.

Today, unplug and spend time with God. Read His Word and listen to His voice.