Luke 10:38-42 – Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

THEME OF THE DAY: WE SIMPLY MUST SAY “NO”. I had a ton of things screaming for my attention. The day was full, demanding, and the lists of people to see, places to go, and tasks to do overwhelmed me. And yet, I heard the small still voice inside of me saying, “Are you going to just rush into your day without time with Me? Are you willing to rush into the dangerous world of spiritual foes without taking time to enjoy Me and prepare yourself for the spiritual battles which will surely come?” It wasn’t audible but it was clear. Was I simply going to give the Lord a passing “flare prayer” of “Help me, Lord, with all I have to do today” or was I going to say, “No. The world can wait, and it can. The most important thing for me to do is spend unhurried time with my Lord. He is worthy. I need it and to neglect Him is one of the greatest offenses I may give Him”? Well, this day, I did say “no” to the demands of the seen world and directed my time, heart, mind and will to the unseen world. Now don’t think I am some super Christian living on top of Mount Transfiguration or Moses-like with my face always aglow with the glory of the Lord. Far from it. I struggle with discipline too. I too often let the tyranny of the urgent drown out the importance of the spiritual. Pastors are not perfect and if they portray themselves above their people, aloof, and not willing to say, “Hey, we are in this together. I am in the trenches with you”, then they are not being real and are doing damage to their flocks by portraying a perception which is disingenuous. But regardless, all Christians are faced with this challenge. And it must be confronted and won over daily if we truly want to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. If we don’t make the right spiritual choices in the use of our time, simply saying “no” to the things of the world and “yes” to being with Jesus and serving Him, we will remain unstable and immature Christians. Spiritual growth begins with spiritual choices and the first one is adamantly refusing to let the things of the world, even good things take priority over the things of the Word.

In today’s scripture is the classic example and contrast of a busy life neglecting the Lord and an abiding life relishing the Lord. We know the characters; active Martha with a barren soul and contemplative Mary with a flourishing soul. But don’t miss the main point distinguishing the two. Yes, their personalities were different. I see Martha as being a “do, do, do” person while Mary not so much. Personalities don’t matter when it comes to spiritual encounters and growth in the Lord Jesus. Choices matter. And Jesus makes it clear Mary’s closeness to Him was a matter of disciplined choice. This is equally true for us. We will be as close to the Lord Jesus as we choose to be. It is a matter of desire and discipline, not time. All of us have discretionary hours or “free time” each week to be used as we desire. Some more than others, but all of us have time we control. The way we plan, schedule, allocate, and use those hours will tell us the place Jesus Christ holds in our hearts. He isn’t someone we add in our lives. He is to be our lives. As Christians, Christ is to be the affection capturing our hearts, the pursuit directing our lives, and the guide leading our lives. We may never justify the words, ‘I don’t have time’ when it comes to getting close to the Lord Jesus, serving the Lord Jesus, and becoming like the Lord Jesus. Our time to behold Him in His Word and prayer is a matter of choice, not time. We send a loud message to heaven about the place the Lord Jesus holds in our lives by where the highest investment of our discretionary or “free” time each week is directed. If more of the world is getting it than the Word and things of the Lord, we are telling the glorious Lord Jesus our love for the world is stronger than our love for Him. Tremble at such a thought if it be true of us. He so deserves the best of our effort and time, not what is left over after we have exhausted ourselves in the world.

PRAYER: “Father, forgive me for the way too many times I allow the world, not Your Word, to guide my life.”

QUOTE: “We will be as close to the Lord Jesus as we choose to be. It is a matter of desire and discipline, not time”