Lately, I've been thinking a lot about Mary and Martha. Naturally, I relate more to Martha because I am detail-oriented, I plan everything out in advance and I stick to a schedule. However, Jesus wants me to be more like Mary ….
"As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, 'Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.' But the Lord said to her, 'My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about, Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10: 38-42
In the last few weeks, I've been Martha; I've been distracted and overwhelmed with everything going on in my life. I've been bogged down with new responsibilities at work and upcoming deadlines, I'm planning and preparing to lead a church mission's trip to the LA Dream Center, and I'm preparing to leave for a 11 months on a radical trip around the world!! While everything I'm planning and preparing for are "good things", they've gotten between me and Jesus. I've forgotten to sit at the Lord's feet, listening to what he wants to teach me. I've consumed my mind with worry, rather than laying those burdens at Jesus' feet.
Several days ago, this is what I wrote in my journal:
"I feel completely overwhelmed with everything I have to do between work, the World Race and leading the LA Dream Center trip. I may have bitten off more than I can chew! However, I also feel like God is stretching me and preparing me during this season."
After that, I made a list of everything I have to do for work, the World Race, and the LA Dream Center. I decided to "cast my cares on the Lord", to lay my burdens at his feet. Since then, I've felt much lighter and less stressed; after all, "his yoke is easy and his burden is light"!
I love what "Jesus Calling" had to say on February 10:
"Trust Me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day. Refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to Me, the King of the Universe. Because I am omnipotent, I am able to bend time and events in your favor. You will find that you can accomplish MORE in LESS TIME, after you have given yourself to me in rich communion. Also, as you align yourself with my perspective, you can sort out what is important and what is not …. "
As a logical person, it makes no sense to think that as I spend more time with the Lord, the more I'll be able to accomplish!! But, hey, I take Jesus at his word!! I choose to be like Mary and sit at the feet of Jesus, listening to what he wants to teach me!!
