Minute to listen.

This weekend we will be learning from Mary and Martha, two of the most famous siblings in the Bible. You can find the full story in Luke 10:38-42. I personally identify with Martha, probably more so than any other character in the Bible. It wasn't that Martha didn't choose well, it's just that she didn't choose what was best. I wrote about this last week when we talked about Nehemiah, sometimes we choose the good and neglect what's best.

Martha was seeking to serve the Lord, but at some point she allowed bitterness towards her sister to creep in. "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" I have a feeling that some passive agressive behavior had precluded this statement. She was running around furiously trying to get everything done for Him, for Jesus. She became so caught up in doing that she forgot she was created as a being.

Sometimes I foolishly replace knowing Jesus with serving Him. One of my favorite songs, Received, by Shane & Shane, speaks to this very issue. Check out the lyrics:

you can only go so far,
until the bottom falls out
all my singing, smiling,
pleasure finds me, i'm all right
pretty melody, dedicated to God
to be called by one Almighty God and take it for granted
heard a rumor i guess, but i wanna know who told me so
told me serving You replaced me knowing You!

Can I be received?
unclean oh Lord am I
find me in my shame
You are all I need
please don't pass me by
I call upon Your name

You whispered to Your child today
but I haven't got a minute to listen
Your child is busy with the work of God and taking Him for granted
got a lot to do today, kingdom work's the game I play
Lord my serving You replaced me knowing You

May we take time like Mary to sit at his feet and listen.

See you this weekend! - Ginger