I apologize for my brief absence. I apologize to you, but mostly I repent to God in that I wanted this to help me stay on track to each day be learning new things and I have been learning a lot but haven't been documenting. I've been busy for busy sake. Too busy and that is a call to repentance.
In Luke 10:38-42 we see Mary and Martha. (Note not Mary- mother of God).
38 In the course of their journey he came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking.
40 Now Martha, who was distracted with all the serving, came to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.'
41 But the Lord answered, 'Martha, Martha,' he said, 'you worry and fret about so many things,
42 and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part, and it is not to be taken from her.'
Friends how often are we Martha in this story. How often are we too busy to sit at the feet of Jesus? In this story not only do we see a beauty in Martha's willingness to serve but we see a place to call us to repentance when our serving brings us away from God. Here not only is Mary at the feet of Jesus but she being a Palestinian Jew brings a light to this passage that exudes a boldness to sit at the feet of Jesus even when at time when women were not to sit in this way.
Jesus says only one this is needed and Mary has chosen that. That one thing? time at His feet.
As Amy Carmichael pens in Calvary Love: "If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
In the season of parties and shopping and decorating and cooking and tinsel and lights and cards on top of the normal work and struggles of everyday life, it is easy to be Martha in a season where we are called to be Mary. Called to be seeking God in the season of Advent. Called to love Him and be open to Him growing us in new ways.
"If you withdraw yourself from unnecessary talking and idle running about, from listening to gossip and rumors, you will find enough time that is suitable for holy meditation" - Thomas Akempis- Imitation of Christ.
So often even without the season I'm a Martha. I'm worried and busy and planning and working and planning some more. But friends what's better in all seasons is to be a Mary. To sit at the feet of Jesus. To be quiet and listen to Him speak. To be open to listen and sit and wait on the Lord. And this truth overtook my heart today in the midst of Christmas shopping and I found myself on a bench in a garden in prayer and reading. And it was such a peaceful and beautiful time. The weather was perfect, and God was there and for some of time I was just silent. Just listening. What a blessing that time was.
friends I encourage you to spend time with God. Be in the quiet in the still. Be at His feet. Let it prepare you for the celebration on December 25th. Let Him show you WHY He came to the world before you celebrate His coming.
praying for you friends.
<3
