Wednesday, February 6, 2013

What has God given you that makes you happy?


The three year olds at St. Mark said, “Playing with Toys; Gummies; Mom; Dad; Grandma and Grandpa; Friends; Babies; He’s nice; the purple guy on the racing game.” The six year olds said, “God, clothes, family, cross, food, Jesus, faces on pumpkins, baby cousin, Bible, and Daddy.” One seven year old described how God worked in her life this way, “I wanted a baby sister. But I got a baby brother instead. God knew I would love him.” Cute, isn’t it? Children have an innocent, simple view of God. This view of God tends to disappear through the years as we get older. As adults we spend most of our time thinking about what needs to happen or what we don’t have yet or what’s been taken away rather than seeing all we have been given. Two close friends of Jesus knew exactly what this was like.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 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)

You can imagine the preparations that needed to be made. Jesus and his 12 disciples came to her house – a great blessing, but more than a little stressful. If you’ve ever entertained 13 or more in your home you know it isn’t easy? It takes cooking, cleaning, and work. It’s understandable that Martha would be rather anxious – not to mention that this was her Messiah that came to her house. I can only imagine how I would run around prepping if Jesus walked through my door. More than a few things would get shoved in the closet.  ;-)

Funny that Martha had been given such a great blessing but only focused on the stress of what needed to be done and who wasn’t helping. Have you ever been there? We spend so much time with the stuff, people, jobs God has given us we can easily lose sight of why he’s really given us those things in the first place. Thankfulness and focus is replaced by stress and worry. Jesus answered an overwhelmed Martha and us with these Words:
“You are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

There is one thing needful and it will not be taken away. Reexamine your priorities and choose to follow the One who is better than what has been drawing the most of our attention. Don’t let your blessings or your challenges rob your joy but grow closer to Jesus especially at times that are rough, busy and overwhelming. Listen to Jesus’ Word’s of forgiveness, love and peace. Focus on his voice in the Bible. He has given us his very life in our place on the cross how will he not also lead us through what we face today. We are richly blessed and cared for by our loving God. Give thanks in all circumstances! 

What are you thankful for today?

-Pastor Eric Hansen, Discipleship Pastor

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