Time with You

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Dear God,

Good morning, Jesus. Thank you for another day of life you have given me on this earth. Before I start doing anything, I give this day back to you, because it belongs to you, and nothing that I could do in it matters without your grace and favor.

I have so much to do today. I’m not going to express it here, because you know my thoughts. But I will say thank you for reminding me to spend time with you, in scripture, praise, and worship. Not everyone does.

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I am reminded of Martha and Mary - the two sisters of Lazarus in Luke 10:38-42. Martha invited Jesus into her home before she’d had a chance to get her house in order. While she was busy with that, she was extremely irritated that her sister Mary chose not to help her but sit at the feet of Jesus, listening to his preaching. She even asked if Jesus could make Mary move so Martha could finish getting her house in order.

I keep reiterating the phrase getting your house in order because this is a basic command that so few people do. I’m not talking about the roof over our heads, I’m talking about our souls. Mary, according to Jesus, chose to learn from HIM instead of worrying about the space around her, because the word was more important to her. Mary didn’t know how long Jesus would be in town, and she heard so many amazing things about his miracles and teachings that she refused to let this moment with him pass her by. She wanted to soak up everything that he could teach her.

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In doing so, I believe that Mary was getting her house in order: Her SPIRITUAL HOUSE, where her soul dwelt. Beginning my day sitting in your presence ensures that I won’t walk in the wrong direction today. That my mind will remember your instructions in moments when I am confused and don’t know what to do. It fills my soul with hope when the enemy tries to make me feel hopeless. Your word fills my mouth with a word from you when I am tempted to talk about myself. It fills my soul with unspeakable joy! NO feeling on Earth can match that.

Now, I’m not calling Martha a bad person. She just got wrapped up in appearances (sound familiar) and let herself be distracted with the upkeep of earthly things. I think she was looking for approval from Jesus because she was working so hard.

But you said in Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are saved through grace…not of works, lest any man should boast.

It sounds callous to say, but our hardest work, all of the tears and sweat equity we put into our efforts to make our dreams come true, and all of the accolades that we could receive from our peers here on Earth, MEANS NOTHING TO YOU.

Without you, we are nothing. And without you, we cannot do anything.

Thank you for showing me this basic fact, Jesus. Please fix my feet so they always come back to you.

Your servant,

A Young Pastor