Marty: "Be Still...."

"Be still, and know that I am God..."

- Psalm 46:10a

I have difficulty being still. Sure, I like to kick back and relax. But sometimes it's a struggle for me to slow down to a point where I can relax. There's so much to do, after all: responsibilities with church, trying to get 'caught up' at work, spending time with family, meeting with my small group, tending to the dog, the myriad tasks that are ever-present at home; all that plus making preparations to move to the DR in April. No, being still just doesn't fit in.

I'm reading a book in preparation for an upcoming mission trip (The Art of Listening Prayer, by Seth Barnes). For the benefit of those who know me well, it's assigned reading, and I probably won't finish the assignment before the trip. Very early on in this book, it became very clear to me that in order for me to benefit from the concepts presented, I need to seriously work on this 'stillness' thing.

Ever since hearing Luke's account of Mary & Martha (Luke 10:38-42), I've identified more with Martha. She's the 'take charge' person who gets things done. She makes sure everyone is fed, and cleans up after dinner. I suspect that while dinner was cooking, she took care of feeding and watering the visitors' donkeys. Naturally, she had to keep the house tidy since visitors came pretty regularly. Every home or workplace needs a Martha, right?

And then there's Mary. While Martha is busy getting everything done, Mary just hangs out with Jesus, getting up to date with all His ministry work, and learning as He teaches her lessons of supreme importance. That was probably just fine early in the day. After all, it kept Jesus busy so Martha could do what needed to be done. But later on - when the dishes needed to be done - Martha has had enough, and tries to get Jesus to make Mary do some work. (We've all been there, haven't we? Ok... well, I've been there!).

This is one of those accounts where Jesus lays out some instruction that is undeniably clear. Black and white. He's not speaking in parables here. “'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'” (Luke 10:41-42, emphasis added).

It's clear that I frequently choose to spend my time on what is less important. And the fact that they seem more important to me tells me I need to allow the Holy Spirit to do some prioritizing work in my life.How about you? Are you choosing the 'better' thing?

- Marty