I made my traditional snow day-cold day beef vegetable soup, pimento cheese, and apple cobbler. I caught up on some bible study homework. Enjoyed the company of my oldest daughter who didn't have to teach due to the ice storm. Did a load of laundry. Showered and dressed. By noon I changed out of my sweater and jeans. I put my husbands over-sized fleece on along with flannel pajama pants and Uggs. At 4:30 I awoke, on the sofa, with drool coming out of the corner of my mouth. I had accomplished the impossible: Not only had I been completely still I had been totally relaxed. It was awesome.
My husband, on the other hand, had absolutely no intention of being still. By 7 AM he was attempting to de-ice our cars. Our driveway was so slick he had to hold onto the hood of my vehicle just to stand up. Despite warnings from the NC Highway patrol, the Governor, and threatening statements from his wife ("you know when you go in the ditch I can't come get you right?") he decided the office couldn't wait.
We are a lot like Mary and Martha. You remember the story right? Here's the scripture describing the encounter.
"Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”-Luke 10:38-42
Jesus was very clear. Mary had stopped what she was doing in order to sit at the Lord's feet. She knew she needed to hear what Jesus had to say. If she kept working she would miss the message. Martha on the other hand, although incredibly hospitable, was "working" herself to death. The perfect hostess she was trying to make Jesus' visit pleasurable. But in her preparations she becomes agitated that Mary has abandoned helping her! In fact Mary is doing nothing! All she is doing is sitting at the feet of the Lord listening! Martha was so annoyed that she asked Jesus to tell Mary that she needed to help Martha with all of the extra work. Jesus tells Martha that she is far too worried about work and the little things. The most important thing? Your salvation? Belief in me? Mary gets that! She knows her earthly treasures are temporary. She understands her place in heaven is eternal.
Wow! This teaching goes against every principle we are taught in our society. We assume that we must work ourselves to death to achieve success, righteousness, and a place in heaven. When actually Jesus just wants us to rest in Him. He wants us to stop the busyness of life and pay attention to His words. What is your first thought about someone who will sit inside and read scripture versus cleaning up the kitchen? Lazy or a procrastinator right? Yep, my initial thought years ago too. God's word is our living water. Our bread of life. It is His love letter to us. If we do not come before Him each and everyday we won't understand the path He has chosen for us. He wants us to stop what we are doing and communicate with Him. Spend some time in fellowship with Him today. There is no one who loves you more.
"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him"-Psalm 62:5
