This past weekend we've been remodeling our kitchen. We're tearing out kitchen cabinets and reinstalling new ones, replacing tiles, pulling out moldy sheetrock and insulation and putting in fresh materials, the whole shebang. It's quite an undertaking.
It reminded me of Martha in the story of Mary and Martha in the book of Luke. Although I haven't been busy cleaning the house and cooking meals and entertaining all of my guests, I've still been busy doing things around the house. And I've been enjoying it, too. I like working on projects....and cooking, and entertaining, and even cleaning on occasion.
But there's a balance to be found. God has called us to be good stewards of what He has given us, and to take care of those less fortunate than us. But there are also times when He just wants us to sit at His feet and listen, to drink in His teachings and wisdom, like Mary did. He wants us to "be still, and know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10). One thing that I've learned about life....it's so easy to miss the forests for the trees. We can get so busy and wrapped up in God's creation, that we forget about the Creator.
So here is today's challenge: take 10 minutes out of your day today, and sit at the feet of Jesus. Talk to Him. Tell Him about your problems and worries and concerns and hopes and joys and plans. But also listen to Him. Learn from Him. Let Him refresh your soul and renew your mind. God wants to have a dialog with us, not be on the receiving end of a monolog. He is neither Santa Clause nor a genie, and He does not exist to supply our laundry list of desires. He wants to teach us and fill us with His spirit. That is what's best, and if we choose that, it will certainly "not be taken away from us."
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
It reminded me of Martha in the story of Mary and Martha in the book of Luke. Although I haven't been busy cleaning the house and cooking meals and entertaining all of my guests, I've still been busy doing things around the house. And I've been enjoying it, too. I like working on projects....and cooking, and entertaining, and even cleaning on occasion.
But there's a balance to be found. God has called us to be good stewards of what He has given us, and to take care of those less fortunate than us. But there are also times when He just wants us to sit at His feet and listen, to drink in His teachings and wisdom, like Mary did. He wants us to "be still, and know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10). One thing that I've learned about life....it's so easy to miss the forests for the trees. We can get so busy and wrapped up in God's creation, that we forget about the Creator.
So here is today's challenge: take 10 minutes out of your day today, and sit at the feet of Jesus. Talk to Him. Tell Him about your problems and worries and concerns and hopes and joys and plans. But also listen to Him. Learn from Him. Let Him refresh your soul and renew your mind. God wants to have a dialog with us, not be on the receiving end of a monolog. He is neither Santa Clause nor a genie, and He does not exist to supply our laundry list of desires. He wants to teach us and fill us with His spirit. That is what's best, and if we choose that, it will certainly "not be taken away from us."
Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
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