Week 11, March 19, 2009
I love this quote from Andrew Murray’s book Waiting on God:
“All that the Church and its members need for the manifestation of the mighty power of God in the world is the return to our true place, the place that belongs to us, both in creation and redemption, the place of absolute and unceasing dependency upon God” (pg. 11).
As we examine this quote, the words of Jesus in Luke 10:38-42 come to mind. This is where we find Jesus in the home of Martha and Mary. Most of know that Martha was busy serving the King while Mary was busy listening to the King, much to the frustration of her sister. Watch what Jesus says to Martha’s request to get Mary moving: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." NKJV
Notice Jesus’ statement: “But one thing is needed.” Mary chose what was most important. I don’t believe Jesus was saying to not serve Him when He responded to Martha. But I do believe He was addressing a familiar pattern that most of the Church has taken on today: love-less, fear driven works.
It is so easy to be distracted with the work of the Kingdom that we forget the “one thing” that Jesus desires: Sit and listen. There is a time to serve and a time to sit – “Mary has chosen that good part.” Both parts, serving and listening are necessary. But when serving leads to frustration and jealousy, a heart check is in order and a return to that place of absolute and unceasing dependency upon God is due.
Stop this week and make sure your heart is set on the things above. Make the move to that place of sitting at His feet and listening, the place of unceasing dependency upon God for all things – large and small, so then you can move into the service that produces eternal fruit.
Blessings,
Jeph Chavez
“All that the Church and its members need for the manifestation of the mighty power of God in the world is the return to our true place, the place that belongs to us, both in creation and redemption, the place of absolute and unceasing dependency upon God” (pg. 11).
As we examine this quote, the words of Jesus in Luke 10:38-42 come to mind. This is where we find Jesus in the home of Martha and Mary. Most of know that Martha was busy serving the King while Mary was busy listening to the King, much to the frustration of her sister. Watch what Jesus says to Martha’s request to get Mary moving: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." NKJV
Notice Jesus’ statement: “But one thing is needed.” Mary chose what was most important. I don’t believe Jesus was saying to not serve Him when He responded to Martha. But I do believe He was addressing a familiar pattern that most of the Church has taken on today: love-less, fear driven works.
It is so easy to be distracted with the work of the Kingdom that we forget the “one thing” that Jesus desires: Sit and listen. There is a time to serve and a time to sit – “Mary has chosen that good part.” Both parts, serving and listening are necessary. But when serving leads to frustration and jealousy, a heart check is in order and a return to that place of absolute and unceasing dependency upon God is due.
Stop this week and make sure your heart is set on the things above. Make the move to that place of sitting at His feet and listening, the place of unceasing dependency upon God for all things – large and small, so then you can move into the service that produces eternal fruit.
Blessings,
Jeph Chavez
