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Loving Along the Way, Seeking the Kingdom of God

In the Moments (Simplicity in Christ)

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The sun is breaking through the clouds on this chilly, late January morning. As I approach the house, from Jack’s mid-morning walk, the warmth lures me to stay outside. Jack is a twelve-week-old Australian Shepherd, who became a member of our family a few weeks ago.

But, by the time I secure Jack, grab my lawn chair, journal, and water, the sun hides behind the greyness of the day. Hopeful it’s just a temporary pause in my winter “sun bath”, I toss Jack a treat, sip some water, and open my Bible.

I turn  to the verse I’ve been draw to often this month. “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”  (II Corinthians 11:3 NKJV).

Paul’s concern for the church at Corinth is about them being deceived. I get it. I believe I’ve been deceived as well.

My life seems anything but simple. From the divorce of my parents, earning an IT degree, raising four kids, maintaining a home, owning a business …   Simple is not how I’d describe things.  

Maybe my definition of the word is part of the problem. To me, simplicity seems to mean freedom from the complexities of life, uncomplicated. This can’t be what Paul meant. A smooth life was never promised.   

The sun is peeking through again. A bit of warmth slathers my face.

Have I been wearing myself out seeking something that’s not possible? 

From Jesus’ very words, I get my answer.

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (John 14:27 NASB).

Simplicity isn’t peace as the world gives it.

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33 NASB).

Simplicity isn’t a life free of conflict and tribulation.

I know simplicity is possible, but I need understanding.  What does true, Biblical simplicity really mean?

Pondering the question, I’m struck by two things:

  • The word we translate as “simplicity” in the original Greek means singular focus, sincerity, God seeking and not self-seeking, mental honesty.
  • Our simplicity is ‘in Christ‘.

Jack is getting restless. I know I need to stop soon. I press into God, Lord, show me how to live this life Paul is referring to.

Seek First

Tossing Jack a toy, Jesus’ words come to mind. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33 NASB).

The verses before this warn us against having a narrow focus on the world and the necessities of life. Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things (Matthew 6:31-32 NASB).

Jesus tells us to have a singular focus on God, His righteousness, and the reign of His ever-unfolding kingdom.  

This seems hard, but God empowers us every step of the way. “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 NASB).

Love as He’s Loved us

Hours before He was crucified, Jesus said, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you (John 15:9-12 NASB).

Jesus boils things down to simple terms.

Love.

How do we love? As He’s loved us.

How much is that? As much as the Father loves Him.

And He tells us if we love others as He’s loved us, two amazing things happen:

  • We abide in His love
  • We receive His full joy

Wow, This is the kind of life I want.

Challenge

What’s crowding your mind this very moment? What thoughts and emotions seem to keep swirling around in your soul? It could be feelings of hurt, illnesses, concerns for loved ones, money problems …

Would you trade it all for a singular focus of seeking God’s kingdom by loving others?

Use the following verses as a type of vacuum cleaner for your soul, giving everyone and everything to God.

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (I Peter 5:6-7 NASB).

Linger in the ever presence peace of Christ.

Prayer

Lord, like Eve, I’ve been deceived. I’ve too often allowed the cares of this life to be my focus. I’ve allowed circumstances to make my life feel complicated and anything but simple. Peace as the world gives it is never possible. You are my Peace.

You have given me understanding and insight.

With you working in me, I have all I need to live a life of simplicity in You.

Please remind me quickly when I allow the worries and distractions of this world to draw me from pure and simple devotion to you.

Keep me in the narrow focus of seeking Your kingdom as I love those You place in my path. May I view the challenges and duties of life, not as distraction and bothers, but as ways to serve you and love others.

With all my love, Amen. 

Other posts in our series In The Moments:

As Sea Gulls Fly

The Gift of Presence

It is Finished

Behold the Moments

Tranquility

Stop Striving

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.

Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading. 

Please Check out the  Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.

Novels by the Author:

What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for?  Beyond Time

By finding two undelivered letters in a old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family. Hope Remains

Deeper Surrender, Let Go

In the Moments (Stop Striving)

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 I was hanging on for dear life above a large ravine. I’d wrapped both arms and legs around a gnarly stump of a tree, leafless but still rooted into the cliff face. About ten feet above, I could see the level ground I’d been clawing and scratching towards. But as hard as I tried, I’d made no real progress these many years. 

“This is impossible!” I cried out. 

Then I heard a soft, but firm voice directly below me, saying “Let go.”

The Background

When I drive into work on summers days, I reverse things a bit. Rather than spending quiet, solitude with Jesus and then driving to work, I do the opposite. I fix my coffee and travel the twenty-five minutes before the traffic gets heavy. That early its cool. And with my convertible top down and the wind whipping across my bald head, the interstate drive is like a mini vacation. I pull under a shade tree in the back of the parking lot, drink my coffee, and pull out my Bible and journal to see what God wants to say.

A couple of days ago, as I communed with God in my outside “living room,” I felt an historic lie rising in my soul from the vestiges of its former fortress. 

The message – It’s all up to me. 

For years this lie was a stronghold in my soul, which I believed and defended. Growing up as the oldest child in an alcohol ridden, divorced family, I felt the yoke of responsibility at an early age. There were times, after my mom and dad separated, that the only communication between them was through me. (8^( 

As my grandfather neared the end of his life, he conveyed that he expected me to look after my mother after he was gone. I was certainly glad to be there for my mom, and I did, but I was already fighting an over responsible tendency. Pop’s words just added to my feelings that It was all up to me. (8^0

In general, I was a compliant child, very eager to please. However, in my mid to late teens, I followed my friends into all manner of worldly activities. I guess I was trying to fit in and fill the joy hole in my heart.

But as all who try this path discover, all the world can give only leaves us wanting more.

It all came to a head one evening during my sophomore year at college. Trying to show off, by driving a bit reckless coming back from a night of cheap beer, I was arrested and thrown in jail for DUI.

Laying on the cell bunk, before my buddies bailed me out, I realized my search for joy had taken me down the wrong paths. In my soul, I knew God was the answer to my searching, but I didn’t know how to connect with Him. Especially since my lifestyle was far from holy.

Eventually, through talking with my best friend growing up and Chuck Colson’s book entitled Born Again, [1] I learned I didn’t have to straighten my life up to surrender to Jesus. 

A year later, when I was 21 years old, I knelt beside my bed and gave my life to Jesus Christ. The act was sincere, but until God gave me a new set of friends to disciple me, my life looked no different from the outside.

As my journey of being a follower of Christ continued, I couldn’t shake the inner lie that life itself was up to me.  I wanted to trust in Christ for life’s troubles, but I didn’t know how.

I prayed to give all my cares to Jesus, but deep inside I still believed it was up to me, I didn’t know how to truly trust in someone else.  

It took me another 20 years to recognize I needed healing from this strong lie within. This followed by years of learning to disagree with the lie and agree with the truth of God’s word. His truth and prayer destroy the fortresses and speculations raised up against the truth and the knowledge of God. [2] It’s not up to me. It never was. 

It’s up to me has lost it’s real power. But still, this hideous, prideful lie calls out from time to time from the vestiges of my “old self.”

This is what I was feeling the morning described above. If I’m not centered in the truth, I find myself vulnerable to fresh batches of brokenness and evil all around.

Back to the Tree

As I sat in front of the tree that morning and experienced the familiar lie, I wrote in my journal, “God do you want to say anything to me?”

Then I took out my blue pen to write down what I sensed He was saying.

Following is what I wrote. And It’s what brought up the thoughts of me hanging on the side of a cliff.

Robby, you strive so hard to be compliant, to please, not to fail. Hanging on to the gnarly stump of “I can do it,” as you dangle over a precipice of fear of failure and fear of rejection. Let go!

In my journal I wrote. “Yes Lord.”

And with as deep of a surrender as I knew how to give, I did. I let go. 

As Paul writes in Ephesians 4, I, as much as I knew how, put off the old man and put on the New Man, which is Christ Jesus who indwells me. [3]

As I might have thought, letting go did not mean tumbling upon the rocks below, shirking the responsibilities, failing and letting everyone down.

It meant just the opposite.  

In the Moments Since

 As I closed the convertible top, grabbed my gear and walked toward the office, I thought about the surrender I’d just experienced.

Certainly, there’d been many surrenders over the years, but this one seemed a deeper “letting go” than ever before.

And, as I write a few days later, I know this to be true.

I work as a corporate technical trainer. I love what I do because of the opportunities to meet and care for a wide range of folks, mostly just out of college.

In the classroom, I spend a lot of time conveying technical information and coaching my students on how to become mainframe programmers, using review games and workshops. It’s actually a lot of fun, but, as with any job, it has its challenges.  Especially when students realize during the class that this type of career is not for them and they must leave the program. (8^<

That morning, when I let go from the gnarly tree growing out of the rock face, my Savior, my King, my Lord, my faithful Friend was right there to catch me.

Since then, walking in the halls, and even in the classroom, I’m experiencing a sense of being carried along and having an eternal view of how my story ends, even as it unfolds.

God is shaping my overall perspective. Though there are still things to be done and troubles to be experienced, the sense of having a higher, eternal goal has not left me.

I’m having moments when the fact of Jesus’ imminent return shines brightly through all the brokenness, all the difficulties, all the pain of this fallen world.

In his first epistle, Peter writes of our current Living Hope and of our future inheritance, imperishable and undefiled. He reminds us of God’s protection, even now. He encourages us to see our trials and tribulations as ways of purifying us as gold is tested by fire. Though, now, we have not yet seen the Lord, we’re filled with joy inexpressible and full of glory. [4]

Paul tells us that God is always working for our good, but sometimes we have tunnel vision. His good for us is work, in the details of our lives, to conform us into the image of Christ. This frees us more and from the world’s hold on our souls. [5] 

Challenge

Like me, do you still sometimes believe life is up to? Certainly, we all have responsibilities and face trials, but consider the following truths which are undeniable:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me (Psalm 23:4 NASB).

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride (Psalm 46:1-3 NASB).

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NASB)

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20 NASB).

Whatever we face (troubles, responsibilities, challenges), God is with us. It’s never up to us. We’re to yield to His Spirit and walk in His nearness.

Consider praying a prayer of deeper surrender to Jesus Christ, your Lord. Ask Him to remind you quickly when you begin to walk in the old flesh and to guide you into yielding to His Spirit. 

Consider writing your words of surrender to Him in a journal and refer back to it often.

Make note of ways He surprises you in the days which follow.

No matter how deep our surrender is, as we press into Him, He will lead us into deeper surrender and deeper freedom.

Prayer

Lord, Thank You for Your longsuffering, Your kindness and Your mercy towards me. You don’t relent until You have my whole heart and I’m so thankful for that.

Please remind me quickly when I pridefully try and do anything apart from You. You tell me that apart from you I can do nothing. [6] And I believe it. (8^o

I see more and more what it means that I died and that my life is now hidden in You. 

Please help me to love others as You’ve loved me and to live a life that brings You glory.

I love You so much!

Amen

[1] Chuck Colson’s son, Chris, was a classmate of mine in college. I sub-rented his apartment on summer and read the copy of Born Again his dad had given him.

[2] II Corinthians 10:3-5

[3] Ephesians 4:22-24

[4] I Peter 1:3-8

[5] Romans 8:28-29

[6] John 15:5

Other posts in our series In The Moments:

As Sea Gulls Fly

The Gift of Presence

It is Finished

Behold the Moments

Tranquility

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.

Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading. 

Novels by the Author:

What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for?  Beyond Time

By finding two undelivered letters in a old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family. Hope Remains

Relationship

Discipleship Rhythms: Rules Don’t Rule Us

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Why Relationship must Proceed Rules.

At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.” But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.  For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:1-8 NASB)

We’ve heard about it in parenting. Rules without relationship leads to rebellion. Life and joy flow from relational connection. Without it, the heart groans.

Story

In the south, we tend to all call ourselves Christian, without really knowing what it means.  Growing up, I was no different. On Sunday mornings, my sister, brother and I  would cut the volume way down on our 4 channel, rabbit ear bearing television. The plan was to stay quiet enough not to wake Mom. If we made it until Rocky and Bullwinkle came on, we were safe. There wouldn’t be enough time to get dressed and ready for church. Mom didn’t like to be late.

My dislike of church wasn’t helped by the fact that we lived very close to a fundamental Christian college. Some of the kids who lived there attended my elementary school. I judged them for the way they looked and acted. They dressed so prim and proper.  And, because they didn’t join in our mischievous ideas of fun, they seemed stuffy and joyless. I felt judged by them. But looking back, I was the one who was doing the judging.

In my eyes, they were a “born again,”  “holier than thou” brand of Christianity I wanted no part of. Besides, I  “believed” in Jesus. I’d tried to live a good live. I hadn’t murdered anyone or robbed a bank. I figured my slot in heaven was secure, since my good deeds surely outweighed the bad. At least that was my thinking. 

While in college, I became convinced that my pursuit of joy in earthly treasures would always leave me empty. My best friend talked to me about giving my life to Jesus. But I didn’t understand why Christ would accept me because of my party lifestyle.  My friend said He would. He asked me if I took a shower before I took a bath. He said I didn’t need to clean my life up to come to Jesus. 

This kind of grace seemed so foreign. Nevertheless, in 1977, I bent the knee and surrendered, best I knew how, to Jesus Christ as my Lord. I understood that at that point He took up resident in my heart by His Holy Spirit [1], but my life did not change for some time.

I believe my conversion to be genuine, but I really had no idea how to follow Jesus as His disciple. What I saw around me was much like the kids I’d avoided in elementary school; folks trying hard to follow rules they read about in the Bible. If we struggled, we read more scripture and kept striving. I’m sure most of us felt exhausted, but nobody let on. 

In 1985, things began to change. Susan and Louis Sutton, a couple in our church, asked my wife and I to be a part of a fellowship group. For about three years, before they began their missionary work in Chad, we did life together with them. During that time, I began to understand how completely different Christianity is from how I was living it.

I’d let following the rules become the most important thing and I’d missed the relationship with Jesus.

Though it took years for the truth to become a heart reality, the Suttons showed us that Christianity, at it’s essence, is about a relationship with Jesus, not following rules. The other stuff, the loving, the holy living, the following Jesus, would flow out of my relationship with Him. 

Putting the Cart Before the Horse

We’ve heard the saying putting the cart before the horse. Picture it a moment. The cart is first and the horse is behind it. How are we supposed to get anywhere? Does the horse push the cart?

As ridiculous as this sounds, putting following the rules before our relationship with Jesus is just as ridiculous.  Though I knew the truth in my heart, my life long tendency to earn my value by what I did, translated into my Christian life. After all, I had to accomplish good grades to pass in school. I had to perform well in the tryouts to make the little league team. I had to pass the required skills in scouts to move to the next class, etc. Though I knew Jesus’ record of perfection and His substitution for me on the cross is what brought me into God’s Kingdom, I had a hard time truly believing my efforts did not secure my status with God.

This was my experience before we met the Suttons and my perspective began to change. 

Rules can never pull the horse. The horse (our relationship with God, paid for by Jesus Christ) empowers our ability to follow Jesus as His disciples.

Righteousness is not because of anything we’ve done, but all because of Christ’s work on our behalf.

As we focus on our relationship with Jesus, not on keeping rules for Him, we begin to follow, out of love for Him, empowered by His Spirit.

Practice the Rhythm

Paul warned the Galatians about adopting a gospel of trying harder. 

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7 NASB)

Galatians 2:21 speaks of how ridiculous it is to try and keep the law to earn our righteousness.

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly (NASB).

Don’t move quickly past the meaning of this verse. Would we, by striving to follow the rules to earn our right standing, be so foolish? If we do, Christ died and suffered needlessly.

We must be vigilant in our thinking. Does reading the Bible, serving at church, talking about Jesus, make us any closer to God? It’s very subtle. We must keep seeking to live in the flow of the Rivers of Living Water, [2] not in the dry and dusty land of self effort. All our exhausting, self motivated rule keeping is worth nothing. [3]

Prayer

Lord, please show me quickly when I once again lead with rule following as opposed to allowing what I say and do to flow from my relationship with You. You’ve called me to fiercely love all the folks you’ve put in my life, no matter how they treat me. I can’t do that if I cut off the flow of Your love by trying to follow rules in my own strength. I resolve to wait for You, to yield to You and to allow You to love through me.

[1] Ephesians 1:13-14

[2] John 7:37-39

[3] John 15:5

Previous posts in our From Duty to Delight Series:

Discipleship Rhythms: From Duty to Delight

Subscribe below to have the posts delivered to your email. We publish weekly.

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.

Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading. 

 Novels by the Author:

What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for?  Beyond Time

By finding two undelivered letters in a old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family Hope Remains

God is our Reward, What is Good?

Do we Just Settle for a Good Day?

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Recently a missionary dear to our hearts made a statement which is rocking my world. She said when invited by God to serve and love someone, she has a choice. She can step into what God wants for her or choose to just have a good day.

Over the last few years she’s learned a deep level of dependence upon God for provision and direction. She doesn’t always have the luxury of knowing how the next bill will be paid or what she’ll be doing six months from now.

She’s sensed the Lord’s calling to go wherever He sends her – Jesus’ nomad. She’s learning to listen to her Savior’s voice and follow where He leads. 

She’s been on several ministry trips speaking the name of Jesus boldly and offering His salvation for those who believe. There have been healings and “unlikely” conversions. At times she’s felt foolish, but her desire is to always listen and obey what she believes God is asking her to do.

Wow. I want this kind of heart for Jesus. Aren’t we all called to be missionaries? Didn’t Jesus send us out to our own people to tell what marvelous things the Lord has done for us and how He’s shown us mercy? Aren’t we all to follow Jesus with this same gusto, being His disciples and making disciples?

I want to learn this level of dependence, trust and obedience. Am I allowing my desire for good days to get in the way of something bold Jesus wants to do through me?

A Good Day

What is a good day? Is it accomplishing what needs to be done amid pleasant circumstances, being with the ones we love, doing things we enjoy? I like days like that, but does my desire for ease keep me from stepping into what God wants for me?

Unlike our missionary, I’ve settled into the comfort of predictability. There’s nothing wrong with planning, but do I allow my plans to cloud what God may want me to do? I pray not. Smooth days are nice, but they can feel empty.  Good days are pointers to what’s is wonderfully, joyfully, eternally good – God Himself.

Asaph wrote after he entered the sanctuary of the Lord, But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; (Psalm 73:28a)

God is what’s really good, no matter what our circumstances are. He’s at work in us to help us know this, sometimes through difficulties. He doesn’t want us to settle for less than Him as our heart’s desire.

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1b NIV)

Prayer

Lord, I surrender my longings for a smooth, comfortable life. Like our missionary, I want to choose you over a good day. I know You are my Good. No matter what happens, You are with me. In Your presence is fullness of Joy. Lead me into a deeper surrender of those comforts I hold on to.

 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28)

 Lord, help me learn to hear Your voice. Guide me into the adventures You have for me each day. I want to speak Your name boldly and offer Your Salvation to those You bring my way. You are my Life.

Amen

[1] Unless otherwise noted, the Scriptures quoted are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

Satisfying Joy

Choosing One Thing

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Can one thing be the key to everything else in life? Could it be the mainspring which provides continual joy and infuses power into every other area? Curly seems to think so.

Curly

In the movie city Slickers, Curly, an old crusty cowboy, claims to know the key to life. With a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, he asks Mitch, played by Billy Crystal, if he knows the secret of life. “No. What?” Mitch responds. Holding up one finger and smiling, Curly says “This.” “Your finger?” Mitch asks. Curly says “One thing. Just one thing.” He says if you stick with it, everything else means nothing. (Curly actually used a bit rougher language) “What’s the one thing?’ Mitch asks. “That’s what you have to figure out,” Curly answers. Mitch isn’t satisfied with Curly’s answer, but the old cowboy is on to something.

Jesus in the house

Luke tells us about a time Jesus was invited into Martha’s home. She had a sister named Mary who sat at Jesus‘s feet, listening to His words. Martha, on the other hand, was so focused on the preparations, she was distracted. She became resentful toward Mary and complained to Jesus. But like Mitch, she didn’t get the answer she desired. Martha, Martha you are anxious and troubled about so many things; but one things is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:41-42 (ESV)

Distracted

I sympathize with Martha. She wanted Jesus to feel welcome. I can identify with feeling distracted (to be driven about mentally, to be over occupied, too busy). I can get so focused on what I’m doing, people fall from my radar. Why? As I ponder this with the Lord, I realize I’ve falsely believed  life has to be going well for me to be okay. When deadlines loom and stress builds, I can get distracted with what I’m doing, caring more about the duties than people. But God is showing me life going well can never be what makes me okay. This is a complete paradigm shift in the way I view each day. Like Martha, I can still become anxious and troubled by what needs to be done. But I’m learning to enjoy the Lord’s nearness as I work, seeing everything I do as an opportunity to love the people He places in my path. There’s real joy in that.

One Thing

Mary chose the one necessary thing. She was with Jesus, seated at His feet, listening; the posture of a disciple. As believers, Jesus indwells us by his Holy Spirit. He is with us, even while we carry out life’s duties. However, like Martha, we can allow what we’re doing to be the one thing. In the 1600s, Nicolas Herman served in the kitchen of a French monastery. Known for his intimacy with the Lord, he was given the name Brother Lawrence. His friends, complied a book of his letters and sayings, entitled Practice of the Presence of God. Nicolas learned to experience God in every aspect of life. He said he felt as close to God peeling potatoes as he did kneeling at the altar. Like Nicolas, Mary chose to focus on Jesus. She worshipped Him. She chose Him above all else – her sister’s approval, the food preparations, the cultural norm. Martha was dissatisfied with life.  Mary was satisfied with Jesus.

A Word for Martha

I long to be satisfied with Jesus, just like Mary. But I still identify with Martha. What can I learn from what Jesus said to her? “Martha, Martha.” Repeating her name was not a sign of frustration, but of intimacy. Jesus loved Martha. He loves us. He doesn’t want us anxious and troubled as we go about our duties.  He wants us focused and satisfied with Him. He doesn’t want us distracted with accomplishments, success and a smooth, happy life. All these things are fine, but they can’t bring contentment; only Jesus can.

Challenge

Identify a time you’ve felt anxious and troubled. Can you pin point why? Spend some time alone with the Lord pondering the event. Ask Him to reveal the source of your distraction. He’ll show you what you’ve chosen above Him. When He does, make a choice to surrender it to Him. Choose to be satisfied with Jesus alone. He wants us free to fully experience the joy and peace of His presence.

Prayer

 Lord, it’s so easy to get distracted. I can be clearly focused on You one moment and over busy and preoccupied the next. Show me how being focused on You doesn’t mean I’m neglecting what needs to be done. Like Brother Lawrence, help me experience your nearness just as much while I’m doing office work as when I’m quietly reading my Bible. Without you I flounder. Like Mary, I choose to sit at Your feet as Your disciple, listening to Your words, worshipping You every step of my day. This is my choice. Guide me and empower me I pray.