Worship Instead of Worry

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

 ³⁸ As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

 ⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴²There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)

I have read this bible passage quite a few times.  I would say in almost all instances I related to Mary far more than Martha. I'd like to say it's my natural inclination to choose spiritual matters, but it may be that I avoid housework like the plague! :-)

But, recently, I've become Martha...and I really don't like it! I used to choose what was truly important (stopping and listening to Jesus; spending time at his feet), but now I'm so busy with work and church "duties" that the time I spend with him is more like Martha's demands.

In Renee Swope's book, A Confident Heart, she talks about being out of balance. She used the above bible passage as an example:

Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to what He said, but Martha didn't. Instead of going to Jesus with a listening heart, Martha went to Jesus with a "listing" heart. She was listing her questions and then her instructions. 

I have been doing that very same thing lately.  I wouldn't say I've been giving Him instructions, as Martha did. I've just been chewing and worrying and begging.

Worrying instead of Worshiping.

In the same chapter of Renee's book that I quoted above she spoke about a time in her life when she was maxed out and went into a state of depression brought on by her anxiety.  She was hit by so many challenges at once and felt her heart slipping into the pit of despair.

I can very much relate to that feeling.  Only, my heart doesn't slowly slip into that pit...it drops like a stone into a sinkhole of "I can't handle all of this. What am I going to do? I need a miracle right now." thoughts. One minute I'm on an even keel and then, boom!, I'm awash in the muck and mire of my limitations.

Renee shared that when she gets in this place, she bosses her heart around and reminds her soul to praise the Lord.  And it's not just a bedtime prayer reminder. She preaches a GOD IS GOOD sermon and quotes all of the Lord's promises to her waffling heart.

What a concept! Worship instead of worry - think about what is good and remember all that the Lord has done for me. It's pretty lame that I can refer to many passages in the Bible that quite clearly state this (some of them I even have memorized) and yet, when push comes to shove (and into the pit I go) I completely forget!  But, that's why the Lord our God reminds us to pray without ceasing and to:

¹⁸ “...commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. ¹⁹ Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ²⁰Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, ²¹ so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. - Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (NLT)

Why does the Lord want us to do this? So that we have His promises ready at hand when the darkness, doubt, and worry starts to drag us down into that pit!

Renee asked a question at the end of the chapter I've been quoting that clicked a light on in my heart: If Jesus came to your house this past week to spend time with you, would you have been able to walk away from unfinished laundry, dishes, or emails if He wanted to talk with you?

My heart said, "Duh! Of course! I would be at his feet in an instant!"  But, isn't that what my devotion and Bible study time is supposed to be?  Shouldn't I drop every little worry that I have and listen as He shares His love and wisdom with me?

Worship instead of worry. It's not easy to do, but I think I have a visual now that will help me.  Every time I feel it all overwhelming me I'm just going to ask Jesus over for a visit.  There is no worry or task that is more important than spending time with my Lord.

Dear Jesus - I am curled at your feet and listening. I choose the one thing that is better and the only thing I need to be concern about. This is the place where I am at my best. I am at peace. I am at rest. And I am loved. Thank you for being here with me and giving me your perspective. I love you with all that I am! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah