Inspired by Luke 10:38-42
This morning I went out paddleboarding on the river. The temperature was perfect, the skies were blue, the sun was out - a recipe for a peaceful morning on the river. I noticed a slight breeze, but it didn’t seem to be anything that would become overwhelming when I was on shore, so I pumped my inflatable board up and set out to the boat launch. At the launch, I noticed that the waves were a little bit stronger than I had anticipated and what I thought was a gentle breeze turned out to be more of a solid windy day. However, I had already done all of the preparation and was ready to go, so I decided I was up for the challenge.
The further I got from shore, the worse the waves seemed to get. I was standing up and giving it my all to just get somewhere, but the wind and the waves were just pounding against the board and I was getting nowhere. It took me about 20 minutes of ruthlessly trying to oppose the wind when I decided standing up wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I dropped to my knees and continued to push on, trying to cut through the wind and the waves, but it was pointless. I had spent over a half hour trying to get a handle on things, but I just couldn’t, so I sat. I relaxed. I was in the middle of the river, about 100 yards away from the boat launch, and I gave up. I just sat. The wind and the waves turned my board back towards the launch and started pulling me in that direction. Suddenly, the wind and the waves weren’t opposing me, but instead the river felt more calm as my back was to the breeze. I began to notice how beautiful the day really was. Now that I was not fighting against the wind and waves, I felt an overwhelming peace.
As I was sitting on my board in the middle of the river, I thought of the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.
"As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”"
In the process of getting everything ready and perfect, Martha lost out. Big time. While Martha was so focused on getting all of the minor details sorted out and making preparations, Mary spent that entire time sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to what He had to say. Martha was running in circles while Mary sat at the feet of the one true king. Martha was so focused on the temporary that she forgot about the eternity, whereas Mary invested her time in a moment which could never be taken from her. Martha forgot who walked into her house that day. Jesus is provider, sustainer, and redeemer. He fed the 5,000 and He turned the water into wine. The world is His.
Can we just sit for a minute?
Can we pause and breathe for a minute?
How often am I losing out? I am so good at getting caught up in the little things that I forget about the big picture. I lose perspective in the process of trying to figure out all of the minor details.
I forget that, instead of allowing my brain to turn in circles trying to figure out what to do next and solve the problem at hand, I can sit at the feet of Jesus and listen.
I forget that, instead of giving into temptation and sin once again, I can sit at the feet of Jesus and be fully satisfied because I am no longer a slave to sin, but I have been set free through the power of the cross.
I forget that, instead of believing the lies that Satan uses to plant the weeds within my heart, I can sit at the feet of Jesus and know that what HE says is the absolute TRUTH and anything which does not align with truth is a lie.
I forget that, instead of wasting my time doing things which are not fruitful to the kingdom, I can sit at the feet of Jesus and ask Him what I can be doing with my time and my gifts to bring honor and glory to His kingdom.
I could go on for days. I forget a lot of things. Realistically, we live in a society where we are expected to be on our toes all the time. We don’t rest as much as we should. We don’t slow down as much as we should. We just keep going and trying to cut through the wind, oppose the crazy resistance that is set out against us. In the process of making my own plans, I miss out on the best plan, the plan that God has for me. I forget that sitting at the foot of the throne is the best place to be, hands down.
My God, I pray that you show me where I am missing out. I pray that you show me the big picture. Fix my eyes on you, my God, and guide me to sit at your feet and live in your presence.
***
Scripture References:
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Comments