Choose Well – At His Feet! – The Abundance of Rain

This will be my last post for 2020. But following and absolutely amazing conversation with a friend I thought I would end on an optimistic note.

It was a joy listening to how my friend as she eloquently shared how her life has changed this year. She is now living her dream, having just moved into her new home with a sea view in a location she never new existed until a series of unexpected events began to unfold one after the other for her and her husband.

All were an answer to pray, but as in most cases with God at the helm, the requirement is faith and trust. Then God takes you on the most unpresidented and unpredictable of journeys.

One of the many significant changes for her, through the implementation of lockdown, was regarding her business within her church. She was one that gave and served in so many ways, but lockdown caused a huge shift in her life, (as for all of us) and it meant her personal devotional time could be and was increased. No longer having her time consumed with meeting the responsibilities she held in various ministries including leadership.

It reminded me of Martha and Mary. We know story of how Martha threw herself into serving all the guest that had come to hear Jesus speak. She did what was expected of women during that time. Being hospitable and welcoming. Ensuring the needs of the guests were taken care of. The problem is, things may have started controlled in her mind, but anyone who has catered for an unknown number of people arriving for an event all around the same time. Can tell you, the stress levels escalate like the mercury line in a thermostat in boiling water. The pressure ramps up as the demands increase with every additional new face that shows up. Becoming overwhelmed and finding yourself stressed is inevitable if you are the only one trying to cover all the bases.

As she observed her sister Mary, a fellow women not working as she was. Infact sitting directly at Jesus’ feet. It must have been absolutely irritating. How could she fail to see what was going on in their home? How could she be so irresponsible? In fact, she was being lazy. Her frustration came out as a complaint to Jesus himself.

⁴⁰But 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!”
Luke 10:40

It must have been a real shock and dent to her pride when she heard Jesus’ reply.

⁴¹“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴²but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Sometimes out of genuine care and having “first responder hearts” we can get caught up with meeting every good cause around us. Especially as women wanting to serve and being unable to say no, we say “yes” or simple take up the batten and don our aprons on and get on with it! Because “it simply needs doing and no one else is doing it!” Without consulting God and asking is this where we should be?

Is it any wonder we get burdened with worry, tiredness and exhaustion.

The word called Martha’s work “distractions!” In other words she was in the right place but her eyes, focus and attention was been taken away from the most important thing before her and in her presence – Jesus.

This is what my friend felt happened to her. So when the distractions were removed she used her time to listen to what The Lord was saying to her about her life. The result was not only a new home, but a new business for her husband, new church and a whole new community in which to serve.

Jesus said at that time few things were needed. Infact just one and Mary chose it! She chose well!! She chose to be still and at his feet. In order to listen to his every word.

What have you chosen for your life as we move into a new year?

Are you distracted by many concerns or are you still and listening?