I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, "It’s time to stop and smell the roses." Maybe you’re one who needs to take heed.
So many of us have busy schedules, appointments to keep, places to go, things to do and people to see. Sound familiar? It’s called a "Martha mode." We need to find the balance. If we’re too busy for God, we’re too busy.
Being involved in ministry means, "work." There’s never a dull moment. There’s always something to do. To finally be able to sit down for a minute or two and begin to relax is quite a wonderful thing.
As I was sitting on the steps outside the door of our offices the other day, I began to think of the goodness of God and quietly prayed in the Spirit. I was looking down at the steps while I prayed. All of a sudden, I heard the Lord speak these words, "Stop looking down. Raise your head and take a look around you." So, I did just that. I looked around and then put my head back down again and continued to meditate and pray. Once again I heard the Lord say, "Raise your head and take a good look around you." So, once again, I took a panoramic view of all that was around me and this time, I took a better look. As I scanned the yard, trailers, trees, boats, grass etc., I saw a rabbit sitting in the yard and I realized that I hadn’t noticed him sitting there before. But the second time I looked, I saw him.
There are so many things we don’t see the first time around. So, the Holy Spirit graciously speaks to us, again and again, until we finally see what He wants us to see. He wanted me to see that rabbit. The rabbit was sitting in the grass, so peaceful and still. Yet, he watched every move I made.
The Lord wants us to be like that rabbit. He wants us to be peaceful and still. In John 14:27, Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God."
The first Scripture that I quoted reminds me of Martha. In Luke 10:41, Jesus said, "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."
Martha wasn’t just troubled over one thing. She had many things on her mind. She was worried about the supper. She was troubled because Mary wasn’t helping her. The bread needed to be baked and the fish was probably burning in the oven. Where was Mary? Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words. His words were her food. Who needed food, when the Bread of Life was present? Mary was peaceful and still, as she intently listened to the Master. Martha was a mess. She was so caught up in serving; she missed the visitation of the Master.
Church, we must labor as we’ve never labored before. We must be about the Father’s business. But, at the same time, we need to have ears to hear and eyes to see what the Father wants us to hear and see. We can’t afford to miss what He’s saying. Time is short. We must work the works of Him who has called us for His purposes. We must spend intimate time with our Lord and Savior. Corporate meetings are wonderful. Worshipping with other believers is an awesome experience. But, when it comes to intimacy, it’s just Jesus and you. It’s like a marriage relationship between a husband and wife. They have precious times with their family and friends, but they don’t invite their family and friends into their bedchamber at night. They need times of intimacy with one another. So it is in the kingdom. We need intimate times with Jesus. We need those times of closeness with Him. Times of impartation and times of Him speaking to us all the things that are on His heart. There are times when the Lord wants to impregnate us with His purposes and plans for our lives. Times when He wants to give us direction, discernment and encouragement. If we don’t spend that intimate time with Him, there will not be an impartation.
Martha missed her time of visitation, because she was too busy doing a good thing. We can be doing good things and miss it. Jesus was right there in her home. The Resurrection and the Life was there in her midst. She chose to abide in the natural realm instead of the spiritual realm. Mary on the other hand, stepped on over. She had chosen the good part. Remember earlier in this article when I mentioned that the Lord told me to take a good look around? When I did, I saw what He wanted me to see. Mary chose the good part. She took a good look around the room, saw Jesus, and fixed her eyes upon Him.
What are you searching for? Who are you looking to for your sustenance? Who’s your life source? Do you see Jesus in your midst or are you too busy? Maybe you’ve glanced around the room once, didn’t see Him, and went on about your business. Maybe you need to stop, take a good look around you and listen. What is it that the Holy Spirit is speaking to you today? Maybe you need to take a better look at your children. Maybe you will see something in them that you’ve not seen before. Maybe you need to take a good long look at your spouse and begin to appreciate him for who he really is in Christ Jesus. Husband, take a good look at your wife and thank God for her.
We take so much for granted. We take relationships for granted. We sometimes fight and quarrel with those whom we love the most. Why don’t we start showing our love to those around us? Let’s express our love to them. Let’s start using our arms for what they were truly made to be used for. We’ve all seen the bumper sticker that says, "Have you hugged your kid today?" Maybe you need to hug your kid today. Maybe you need to hug your dad or your mom or your grandma or your dog. Show appreciation to those whom appreciation is due. Let’s go a step further. Hug somebody today that doesn’t deserve it. That’s called unconditional love. That’s the God kind of love that seems to be rare in the body of Christ today. It’s easy to love those who go out of their way to help us, but what about those who don’t raise a hand to do anything for us? Are we supposed to love them? Selah.
There’s a question today that teenagers ask quite frequently. "What would Jesus do?" There are necklaces, bumper stickers, pens, paper etc., with this message written on them. It’s a good question for us to ask ourselves on a daily basis. It’s a good question for us to ask ourselves in every situation that we find ourselves involved in. I believe if we would ask ourselves this question more often, we would find the answers that we so desperately need.
God cares about you my friend. It’s time for you to stop, look and listen to the Holy Spirit. It’s time to be intimate with Him. It’s time to take a good look around you and see all that He wants you to see. Maybe this time around, your eyes will be opened. Maybe there’s a rabbit in your yard. Have you seen it yet? Stop looking down. Raise your head and take another look. It just might be that you will see Jesus in your midst. Will you recognize Him when you see Him? Will you continue with your serving or will you take the time to sit at His feet and allow Him to speak into your life? Don’t miss the day of His visitation in your home. He wants to change your life and your circumstances. Will you let Him?
