Finding the Most Important Thing
How many important things do you have to do today? Are you sure you are taking care of the most important thing? Do you even know what the most important thing is? Remember, you want to take care of the most important thing because it is most important!
Every day brings new demands. So does the most important thing change, or remain constant? Consider the demands of entertaining guests, as our illustration today shows.
It can be a privilege to entertain – especially when your guest is so esteemed. The problem was that this guest came with an entourage! Have you ever been overwhelmed at the prospect of feeding so many people? Family events and holidays can be like that.
We are busy – too busy. We go here and there doing this and that. A lot of it is very important but we wonder sometimes, is it necessary?
Remember Martha? You can read her story in Luke 10. Jesus showed up at her house to get a little time away from ministry. Dinner had to be prepared. There was food to consider along with drink and the table. This was important work. Martha was busy working but it was too much work to do on her own.
Naturally, she thought of her sister, Mary. They lived under the same roof and mostly shared the responsibilities every day. But this day Mary was not being very helpful. In fact, she had deserted the preparations and was lounging at the feet of Jesus.
Martha’s response to this situation was predictable. She appealed to Jesus to have Mary help her. Jesus’ words to Martha must have been quite frustrating: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
What was truly needed on that day? What was the most important thing? A clean house? A well prepared meal? A pleasing table? According to Jesus, none of these. What was needed most was a time of sitting at Jesus’ feet in humility and submission. Mary was captivated by his words. They gripped her heart as she listened to him.
We tend to live like Martha, rushing about getting as much done as possible in as little time as possible. This lifestyle often extends to our spiritual lives. We even pray like Martha – rushed and measurable results oriented. But Jesus said we need to make better choices. So how do we choose the better? And what does it look like?
A Mary Prayer Life
If we are going to pray like Mary, we must find a way to get to the feet of Jesus in a quiet place without interruption. Maybe that means 5 a.m. for you! I know one busy mom who does just that. It also means that we will have to change the way we approach prayer.
I use a list to pray from. That’s not always good. Although it helps me remember what to pray for, it doesn’t help me to listen. So, I must focus attention to listening time.
I listen for the voice of Jesus in two ways during my prayer time.
First, I listen to him as I read the Bible. I try to imagine Jesus reading the words to me. It can be hard to focus on this and my mind still wanders from time to time but when I put effort into listening I receive fresh insights into the ways of the kingdom of God.
Then, I listen to him as I pray, pausing every time I ask him a question. I have received some very profound direction from him when I do this, although it is not quite as often as I would like.
In order to enjoy time at the feet of Jesus, you must make it the priority of your life. Remember what Jesus said to Martha – only one thing was necessary! That seems a little extreme in our world of activities, obligations and busyness. But, since Jesus said it, we should take it very seriously.
I would truly love to hear how this goes for you, so leave a comment!
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