Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 265 September 19, 2001
Busy

Now that we’re moved in and mostly unpacked (except for the garage, but that’s an entirely different matter. My wife has this strange idea that you should be able to park cars there. Can you imagine? Where does she get these ideas?), sorry, I digressed,.. now that we’re mostly unpacked, I’ve had some free time to do some reflecting.

We love the new place and the move overall was a good experience, but there were lots of times during the past couple of months where I felt I was distant from God. In looking back, those were almost always the times where I was so busy I couldn’t, no make that didn’t take, much time to be with God.

When I was busy with “stuff”, even good stuff and neglected my time with Him, I felt a long way from Him. He hadn’t gone anywhere, He was still very active in my life, but I felt distant.

I had become a victim of the Martha Syndrome.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 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!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42 NIV

Is your life full of “stuff”, even good Christian “stuff”? Perhaps it’s time to reflect and re-prioritize. If He’s truly the Lord of our lives, we should be putting Him first.

Sometimes we get involved in ministry activities, or on social committees or a thousand different things. All of these things are good and important, but we’re not necessarily the person God has called to do them all.

If we’re doing them under our own power and without Him, it is wasted time. What is He calling you to give up to be with Him? Have you asked Him?

Part of putting Him first is spending time with Him in reflection, prayer and meditating on His Word. Have you been taking the time lately to do that?

Until next time, may your time with Him be abundant and fruitful.

God bless.

Kevin