The last week still seems extremely surreal to my family, friends, and me. While I was teaching my junior high students, our faculty received a message that school would be out until April 13th. At the time, this seemed aggressive and extreme. The reality now is that the effects of this virus have reached far beyond the school system and changed our American way of life in ways our generation has never seen.
My immediate response was one of concern at the seriousness of what was going on, but still unaware of the true path we were headed down. To be honest, I was looking forward to a break from the exhausting hustle and bustle in our lives. I began thinking of all of the things I could get done on my to do list as well as some valuable time I wanted to spend with my two daughters before my husband and I welcome our third child in the next few weeks.
I am one who ALWAYS begs for more time in life. If I had more time, I could….write more, be more patient, be a better mom, get things done around my house. All of a sudden, I was granted that time, but for some reason Saturday came and slowly went by. I began to panic just a little because it seemed as if everything was slowing way down…almost too slow.
But oh how I love Jesus and His constant reminding of what we need and what He wants for us. He wants abundant life for us-here and now. We find that only in Him and only when we seek Him and His presence. What a better time than this? To turn to our God and offer our worship and praise to Him. To get to know Him more through His Word and His promises. To spend time in deep prayer for our family, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and the rest of the world who is being affected during this difficult time.
Over the last year, God has continually used the story of Mary and Martha to speak sweetly to me about what He wants for me and from me but to also convict me of my falling into the Martha world around me instead of heartfelt worship and pursuit of Him.
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
This story speaks to me in so many ways-Mary’s sitting at the Lord’s feet knowing and understanding who He was and not wanting to miss a moment with Him; Martha’s worry, distractedness, busyness, and stress; Jesus saying few things are needed-in fact only One and Mary chose what is better.
Wow. Thank You for the opportunity to learn from these two women who both loved You but one sometimes went down the wrong path. Thank You for your teachings that are so relevant to my heart today. Thank You for the opportunity to sit at your feet and have a relationship with You. There is nothing greater in this life. Keep my gaze and focus on You, Lord.
I have decided that I am going to use this slowing down of time and schedules to sit at the feet of my Savior. I am going to use this time of uncertainty and worry to replace it with prayer and receive the peace that my God promises. I am going to to put everything I have into the only One needed. I am going to use this time of being separated from the “world” to grow closer to Him and to show my family and neighbors the love I am called to demonstrate.
He loves you so much. He loves us so much. He wants us to draw near to Him no matter what the circumstances are in the world right now. Will you turn to Him? Will you sit at His feet, gazing at Him, and accept what He wants to give you as Mary did? Or will you be overtaken by worry and doubt? Will you continue to try to fill your time with busyness and distractedness?
I pray that I choose “what is better.” I pray that you choose “what is better.”
My Lord, You are in control and You are powerful. We do not and will not always understand Your ways, but I pray that during this time of uncertainty, we will trust You and demonstrate a faith in You that moves mountains-mountains of fear, anxiety, worry, distractedness, and depression. When we seek You and draw near to You, You give us peace, comfort, stillness in our souls, satisfaction in You, abundance, and fulfillment. Draw us near to You.
Shared with love,
Lindsay
Meet Me on the Front Porch 