As a believer in keeping the 7th day Sabbath according to the commandments of God it is my belief that God has set the Sabbath aside to be a blessing to those who choose to be HIS children. It is a day that we are to cease from our routine activities of the week, a day to shift our focus from the things of this world and focus on our relationship with Jesus the Christ and come together to fellowship with other believers to build one another up and encourage one another in the faith.
But in reality I too often come into the Sabbath on Friday evening at sundown with too much still on my plate and frantic to get every thing done so it will be pleasing to my Master. Instead of being able to spend the Sabbath at Jesus feet I too often spend it rushing around the house Sabbath morning stressing that I probably don't have enough made for pot luck lunch and maybe I should make something a little extra.... my children are not taking my grandchildren to church so it is my assumed responsibilty as well to get them all dressed and ready for church..... is my Sabbath school lesson really ready to teach the children, isn't there just a little some thing more I can add to it to really impact the children I teach.... quick pick up the house again in case some one drops by after church today..... etc, etc, etc.
Off I fly to church to try to get there no more than 5 minutes late with my car full of teenagers and preschoolers. Once at church there is Sabbath school class to teach.... children to try to keep quiet during church services.... this ministry of the church that needs attention..... that ministry of the church that needs attention.... women's planning meetings.... activities the kids are involved in that need my assistance.... come on somebody has to do these things or they will not get done..... right? Busy, Busy, Busy.... and all the time resentment building because I have not taken that time to obey Jesus by doing what HE calls the best part, or most needful part of sitting at HIS feet and listening to HIS heart. I have not taken the time to fully enter into intimate worship. I have not taken the time to just close myself in with HIM and silenced my own mind to hear, feel, see what He has for me today. I have not taken the time to sit in HIS lap and let HIM heal my bruises and scrapes my body, soul, and spirit have taken during the week.
I won't be so hard on Martha in the future.... Jesus did not condemn her efforts and her labor ..... He only said we need to first make sure we have taken that time alone with HIM, setting at HIS feet learning, listening, worshiping, becoming like HIM. Even Jesus took time away to spend with His Father. |
