Luke 10:41-42
But the Lord said to her, “Martha,
dear friend, you are so upset over all these details! There is really
only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I
won’t take it away from her!”
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
My mother once gave me a book titled, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World*.
The premise was that we spend a lot of time worrying…and most of it is
about things that are either insignificant – or low priority! Certain
“worries” are rites of passage and part of growing up…like the litany of
stresses that compile “teenage angst.” But those who, like me, have
lived a few decades can probably look back on several events and
circumstances and say, “I wasted far too much time on that!”
“Woulda,
shoulda, coulda”…these are all natural sentiments that most of us have
experienced. “I wish I would have studied more”…”I should have spent
more time with this person or that one”…”I could have made more of an
effort to get to know Jesus better at a younger age – and saved myself
some heartache!” Regrets and worry are a natural part of the human
psyche.
But hear the words of Jesus in these verses…and go back
and read all of the story in Luke 10, if you need to refresh your
memory. Stop and take a good look at what is concerning you these
days…then ask, “Is this really what matters most?” Is it more important
that we spend time on the things that express our love - and the love
of Jesus – for others…or do we really need that latest gizmo or new
outfit we spent hours shopping for? When someone drops by for a visit,
will you worry about how your house looks – or enjoy their company?
When
your favorite television program is interrupted by a phone call from a
friend or loved one who wants to visit, will you be irritated – or
attentive? Will you read to a child – or spend an hour surfing social
media? Will you be so self-absorbed or concerned about keeping up
appearances that you miss the beauty of a crisp fall day…a few minutes
spent in strengthening and encouraging conversation with God… or even
His gift of a few hours of much-needed rest and renewal?
Worry
steals our energy, our time, and our joy. Misplaced priorities rob us
of God’s blessings – and our true purpose as Christian disciples. Will
you spend some time today seeking God’s will and direction for your
life…and syncing your agenda with His? I probably need to get this book
out and read it again, because worry has a way of creeping into our
lives in ways that we don’t even notice! Will this be the day that you start becoming a “Mary in a Martha World?” - and learn to operate in what is really important? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
* Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World - ©2000 Joanna Weaver - http://www.amazon.com/Having-Mary-Heart-Martha-World/dp/1578562589
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