April 20, 2020
He is Waiting!
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Now as they went on their way, He entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home (Luke 10:38, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Balance always requires a fierce and ruthless examination of priorities. Our true priorities are not only mere lists of activities completed or goals set, but also candid reflections of our heart desires. What we deem important receives the most time, energy, attention and resources. The importance of right and balanced priorities is illustrated by the life of Martha.
Jesus knew that He was always welcome in the home of Martha. Scripture tells us that Jesus “had no place to lay His head” but He often came to this home when He needed to rest or get away from the demanding crowds. At the age of thirty, the Son of God left His natural home and there is no record of His ever returning to live there. He often went to Bethany, to the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and even spent His final week on earth there. Jesus didn’t have to wonder if He was welcome in this home or if Martha was “ready” for His presence. He knew she was.
Can He say the same about us? Do we have the heart of a seeker, one who lives each day aware of God’s presence, His plan and His priorities?
Seeking God begins with recognizing who He is and then inviting Him into our life as Lord and Savior. If He is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all. For some of us, the problem is not that we lack a personal relationship with God. Our problem is that we are not “making room” for that relationship. Balance comes when we yield to His plan in the everyday moments of life.
One summer, our family went to Pennsylvania where we visited Amish country. I have always been fascinated by the Amish people and enjoyed every minute spent in their beautiful and carefully ordered world. As our visit came to an end I wanted to buy a souvenir to remind me of the peaceful days we had spent there, but everything I picked up was too expensive. Being a committed shopper, I was not about to let that stop me.
We travelled up and down the small hidden back roads of each community, looking for the Amish products known only to a few and to those relentless shoppers who were willing to persevere. I was beginning to lose hope when I spotted the small, white sign posted on the fence of a quaint and absolutely perfect house. “Amish Crafts” it said. This was it!
When we stepped onto the porch filled with beautiful Amish crafts, a woman came out of the house, welcomed us with a beautiful smile and introduced herself as Mary. She invited us to browse and let her know if we needed any help. I have to admit that I was almost rude in my pathetic attempts to catch a glimpse of her home through the porch windows. Reading my mind, she graciously offered, “Would you like to come in and look around?” I thought she’d never ask!
Mary’s home revealed a world very different from mine and an uncommonly simplistic lifestyle I desperately longed to experience. The house was sparsely furnished with only the necessities but Mary described her life and daily routine with words like “calm, uncomplicated, peaceful and serene.” When I asked why she had chosen such a lifestyle she sweetly responded with words of wisdom I will never forget, “I have discovered that when my life and my heart get too crowded there is not enough room for God.” Exactly!
An unbalanced life is too crowded for God. It is so easy to relegate our spirituality to religious activity when all He really wants is to spend time with us. God longs for us to forever run into His arms, sharing every hurt and rejoicing in every victory. The Father yearns to wrap His strong arms around us, bringing the peace and balance we so desperately need.
And here is more great news! He loves who you are more than He loves what you do. Seek Him today. Make room for Him. He is waiting.
Let’s Pray
Father, I am too busy and sometimes I feel like my life is spinning out of control. I’m tired of the imbalance I see in the way I live. Help me learn how to establish priorities that please You and reflect Your plan for me. I commit to spending time with You each day, seeking Your wisdom and direction. I love You, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Are you ready to evaluate your life according to God’s priorities? Set aside time today to spend with Him. Grab your journal and record the truths He gives you about how to balance your life.
Ask God to let you see your life through His eyes. Be willing to change what needs to be changed in order to invest your time wisely.
Determine the top five life priorities of your life - right now. Take a deep breath and brutally examine your calendar and checkbook to see where you spend most of your time and resources. We can give lip service to what we think our priorities should be but until our daily schedule reflects those priorities, we are only "playing at life."
More from the Girlfriends
Mary’s book, How to Study the Bible, will help you learn how to read, understand, and apply the truths of God. It is a step-by-step process to get God's Word into your life. Check it out.
Be sure to drop by the page on Mary’s website with FREE MP3s. And connect with Mary on Facebook or through email. If you would like to receive more devotions like this one, sign up for Mary’s Blog.