Hello, welcome everyone. Hope you're having a good morning/day/evening :)

What we're looking at in this post is slightly different to the memory verse analysis that I had done. Today, we will be looking at a story. Specifically, the story of Mary and Martha that appears in the gospel of Luke. I intend to hone in on our understanding of Jesus, but also our relationship with Him.

As previously stated, the story can be found in Luke, specifically in Luke 10:38-42. Though it's a small story, not covering many verses, it packs a punch. It reads, "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.”

 

Immediately, we're going to look at what is meant by the phrases, "Chosen what is better." Rushing around, potentially trying to 'woo' God isn't always the way to go! I'm sure intentions are good, but it is important to recognise associating/connecting God with the completion of 'tasks', that do not lead you into the presence of God, is not helpful. John 4:24 states, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth." With God, authenticity indispensable. When you're distracted, like Martha, thinking about all those things you need to get done. You are not present. If you're not present, how can one worship Him in Spirit? (@Me). Coming into His presence is sooo important, but see how simple it is? Don't add requirements or prerequisites to meeting Him or pleasing Him. Don't overcomplicate things. Being in His presence is what makes Him happy, because He loves us! Having said this, we may be so caught up in our tasks that we don't realise we should be choosing what is better. The next part bof this post covers how we could recognise the state we are currently in.

Distraction can act as a hindrance to a deep relationship with God. Due to distraction, you might find yourself feeling further from God, but at times we may have difficulty putting into words how we are feeling, or that this is what we're experiencing. In a time like this, I would suggest looking at the fruits you have produced in the past week, per se. Though I would like to talk about it in depth in a later post, I thought it fitting to mention here. Have you found that you have been more irritable, and unable to help people or yourself? Have you struggled to demonstrate the love and compassion that you typically do? This could be the result of time spent disconnected from God. Those unexplainable flare-ups and anxiety expose a troubled spirit. Distraction or worldly cares can act as an obstacle to entering God's presence earnestly. Once you have recognised this, identify how you can slow down, detach from the outside world, and rest at Jesus' feet, like Mary.

Despite all that's been said, there's a time for everything A time to serve and be active for God. Then there's also a time to sit. Serving God might look different everyday. It is broad, and examples include praise and worship, giving tithes, being very active in church. Or, serving others. The scripture I will apply here is 1 Peter 4:10-11, where serving others is mentioned. It reads, "¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." In this instance, we can see how greatly God values our service! It is necessary to be like Jesus in this way, and serve others, therefore serving Him. This could look like serving your family food, being helpful to your colleagues, serving in the church etc. But why is it important to serve God? It shows our respect and appreciation for what Christ did for us, but also what God does for us, day in day out. The mercy, the grace God provides us with undoubtedly warrants our service to Him. We cannot serve God in the sense that we could be paid from it, the way a servant is by their master. That's where our service to others makes sense. Our selflessness reflects Him positively an accurately glorifying Him whilst we help others. Matthew 25:40 summarises this perfectly. Anything that glorifies God, like serving others, we must do as service to God.

 

All things considered, remember, how is your service and action for God affecting your intimacy with Him? How would you understand his character? When answering these questions, it is important to be truthful with yourself. If you are struggling, maybe consider how you would behave if a friend of yours came over. You would initially get to know them, right? You can only do this when you are getting to know Jesus, in Spirit, and at His feet, fully submitted to Him. It is important to be useful and do things for God, but it's also important to know when it's time to abide at His feet. Recognise His value. There's a whole Book on it.

 

THAT IS ALLL FOR THIS WEEK'S POST. I apologise for being late. I hope you have a wonderful week, meditating on God's Word. 

 

As always, I would love feedback so if there is anything, please drop me an email!

 I love you with the love of God!

 

Rachel

xoxo