Yet another awesome sermon from Pastor Pete this past Sunday spoke directly to me. We have been going through a series called Greater. To wrap it up, we talked about the truth that Surrender > Self Reliance, and here is how it spoke to me:
You may be familiar with this story…
Luke 10:38-42 says, “Jesus continued from there toward Jerusalem and came to another village. Martha, a resident of that village, welcomed Jesus into her home. 39Her sister, Mary, went and sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach. 40Meanwhile Martha was anxious about all the hospitality arrangements. Martha (interrupting Jesus): Lord, why don’t You care that my sister is leaving me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to get over here and help me. Jesus: 41Oh Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and concerned about a million details, 42but really, only one thing matters. Mary has chosen that one thing, and I won’t take it away from her.”
Now, Martha was not a bad person, I’m sure she had the best of intentions. I’m sure Martha was doing everything she was doing in order to please Jesus. I’m sure she thought she was giving her best.
But Martha missed it.
She got caught up in all of the chores that were expected, all of the things that might make her more “presentable” to Christ, all of the material gifts she could provide for Him (food, clean home, etc.). But what she didn’t realize was that Jesus was there to just spend time with her. The only gift He was there to receive was simply Martha.
Although I have heard this story a hundred times, I am still guilty of being a Martha. So, this week I am taking a deep breath. I am slowing down and taking the time to spend with my Lord. Yes, making phone calls, responding to emails, selling T-shirts, trying to raise financial support for an entire year all in order to serve God and His children around the world, is important. But I missed it.
I’ve always loved the saying,
“what you do WITH Jesus
is more important
than what you do FOR Jesus,”
[unknown].
Yes, my intentions were good, but giving my best isn’t measured by the number of phone calls I make. What is most important is spending time WITH God. That is all that matters at the end of the day. He will take care of the rest.
I’m not sure that I will ever completely grasp the concept of God wanting me. It’s crazy! And if that’s not enough, He actually likes me! The Creator of the universe, All powerful, All knowing, simply wants to spend time with me? Yes, I hear that. Yes, I believe that. But, I’m not sure that I truly know it. Because if I did, I think I would live my every day life a bit differently. And if we are honest, I think that’s most of us.
I want to encourage you today to stop. Make the time. Turn off your TV, put down your phone, log off Facebook, and have a conversation with the Creator God. Spend your time doing the one thing that matters. He will take care of the rest.
He’s only waiting for you.
“If you are thirsty, come here; come, there’s water for all. Whoever is poor and penniless can still come and buy the food I sell. There’s no cost—here, have some food, hearty and delicious, and beverages, pure and good. 2I don’t understand why you spend your money for things that don’t nourish or work so hard for what leaves you empty. Attend to Me and eat what is good; enjoy the richest, most delectable of things. 3Listen closely, and come even closer. My words will give life, for I will make a covenant with you that cannot be broken, a promise of My enduring presence and support like I gave to David,”
– Isaiah 55:1-3
