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MARTHAHOOD TO MARYDOM
There is an old Egyptian saying ‘God made time but Man made the hurry.’ I read a statistic recently that the British have the longest working hours in Europe. Have we therefore become a nation of Marthas? Here, in the 21st century, most homes are filled with the latest technology and gadgetry designed to give us more leisure time yet more technology and gadgetry is then used to FILL that precious leisure time. Why do we fill our ‘spare’ time with so much activity? For some families with young children, ‘spare time’ is probably just a dim and distant memory, but many other people who don’t have the commitment of working to school schedules still seem to be busy most of the time. Do we deliberately fill our time with activities and our homes with noise so that we can shut God out? You can walk into any home at any time of the day and the TV is on or the hi-fi system is blaring out the latest boom-boom sound. Are we afraid that if we have a peaceful quiet home that we might actually hear God talking to us??? So where is God in your life? Where have you put Him? Is He dusted off once a week on a Sunday morning, and then put away again for the rest of the week? Is He just a Sunday God – just called upon for special occasions when you need Him? Then put away again, forgotten until the next crisis looms? Most people make feeble excuses that they don’t have the time for regular prayer or Bible study. Yet America now, in the aftermath of September 11th, recognises the fact that it had turned away from God and all over the country, many Bible study groups are gathering together. Prayer groups have sprung up in all workplace and school situations and the people are turning back to God. ‘If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’ (2 Chronicles 7: 14) I used to be the kind of person who would make all sorts of excuses why I didn’t have time to pray or study. Then a change in my circumstances suddenly meant that I had all the time in the world at my disposal and no bank of ready-made excuses handy! I went from ‘Marthahood’ to Marydom’ overnight, content to sit at my Lord’s feet immersed in His teachings. My day begins with praise, Bible study, meditation and prayer. I am filled with the Holy Spirit during these special quiet times with the Lord and have received many insights and blessings. Putting God first at the beginning of each day, and being focused on Him, my days are God-centred, not ‘me’-centred. It would be untrue to say that there are never any problems to sort out, but those that do arise are dealt with more effectively because I just give the matter straight to the Lord. So instead of worrying or being anxious, I claim the promises that I have read in the Word and I am now better equipped to deal with them. I sympathise a great deal with Martha. She was doing what she thought was right and important, but ‘was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him (Jesus) and asked: “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”’’ (Luke 10: 40) You can just see her, can’t you, hot and flustered, and frustrated and just a tad miffed as she rushed about preparing a meal for Jesus, the disciples, and probably most of the neighbours. And how the Lord’s reply must have felt like a rebuke. ‘“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 10:41-44) You can now almost see the tears of frustration well up in Martha as she realises that Mary is not going to be made to help her. Mary knew it was right to sit at the Lord’s feet and receive His teaching. Jesus confirms it Himself in verse 42: ‘”Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”’ Have you chosen what is best for you, so that it won’t be taken away from you? Do you come into the presence of the Great Teacher in eager anticipation and excitement each day? Or do you see it as a chore to be avoided at all costs? Do other gods persuade you to spend time with them? Do these other gods have the power to save souls? Can they heal? Do they love you unconditionally the way our Lord loves us? Do these other gods have your future salvation taken care of? ‘You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing.’ (Isaiah 42:20) Can I encourage you if you’re not already having quality time each day with the Lord to actively seek Him and spend time praising Him, reading perhaps a Psalm a day (Psalm 119 is very long – read it in segments over a period of days!) and then spend time in prayer. Let your day begin and end with God and put Him in the centre of everything you do. ‘Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.’ (Proverbs 30:5) Paul told Timothy ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’ (2 Tim 3: 16-17) Take the hurry out of your day and spend time with God – put Him first in all things and see the changes unfold in your life as He blesses you mightily. Amen. © Pauline Dewberry 01.08.2002
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