As Usual

I returned last night from a PMC (Pregnancy Medical Clinic) Summit in Memphis, TN.  I am on the Board of Directors for the Center for Pregnancy Choices so that means I get to attend wonderful conferences and workshops and hang out with the coolest people.  The Summit was kicked off with a devotional led by the pastor of the church hosting our conference.  He was encouraging us to not get so busy with life and the work of the ministry that we fail to spend time alone with God in prayer.  He read Luke 22:39, "Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him."  Why did Jesus go to the Mount of Olives?  It was His usual place to go to pray and meet with His Father.  The pastor noted that Judas was not among the disciples, but later led the crowd to him in order to betray him.  How did Judas know where to find Jesus?  Because Jesus was in his AS USUAL place.

This has caused me to reflect upon my own AS USUAL places.  If someone were to look for me, where would they go?
Would they say...
"She's working, AS USUAL."
"She's on Facebook, AS USUAL."
"She's on the phone, AS USUAL."
"She's watching TV, AS USUAL."
"She's sleeping, AS USUAL."

Where are my AS USUAL places?  Do I pray, AS USUAL?  Do I worship, AS USUAL?  Do I further the Kingdom, AS USUAL?  Do I study the Word, AS USUAL?  Do I serve others, AS USUAL?  Are these my USUAL places or are they UNUSUAL places that I occasionally visit?

In my 2010 visit to the Holy Land, I stood on the Mount of Olives.  From there you can see a breathtaking panoramic view of  Jerusalem.  Maybe this is why Jesus chose this spot to pray.  His burden was before Him.  His passion was in full view.

Could it be that my AS USUAL places reveal the objects of my passion?  Oh, Father, have mercy on me.  "Jesus went out AS USUAL to the Mount of Olives, AND HIS DISCIPLES FOLLOWED HIM."  May I leave my AS USUAL places and follow Him to His AS USUAL place, which is sitting right next to His Father.