It is possible to be busy for Jesus and miss Jesus.
Many of us grew up with a faith that was really church-first. Being a good Christian meant being at church, serving at church, giving to church, and staying out of trouble. Jesus was in there somewhere, but the church was what we actually organized our lives around.
That kind of faith can last for decades without anyone noticing. Then one day you get honest, and you realize the church has disappointed you because you were asking it to be something only Jesus can be.
And if that kind of faith can last decades in you without anyone noticing, it can last decades in the people around you too. Our congregations are often a mix: some who have truly given their lives to Jesus and been changed by His Spirit, and some who have only ever been committed to the church. Jesus told a story about a field where wheat and weeds grow up side by side, and He told His servants not to go pulling up the weeds themselves (Matthew 13:24-30). That is not our job, and this is not an invitation to start judging who is which. But accepting that the mix is real can change how you see the people who disappointed you. We would not expect restraint, good choices or high morals from someone who is drunk. In the same way, we cannot expect the fruit of the Spirit from someone the Spirit has not yet changed. Knowing that makes room for grace, and for praying for them instead of resenting them.
Today’s story is about two sisters and a dinner. Both of them love Jesus. Both of them are doing something good. Notice which one Jesus says has chosen what will not be taken away.
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Last time you wrote that you would:
This is where you will look back at yesterday. For today, just notice how you are coming into this.
An honest prayer
Pray this as it is, or in your own words.
Lord, I have been worried and distracted by many things, even good things. Today I want to sit at Your feet first.
Read
Luke 10:38-42 (OTB)
38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to his word. 40But Martha was preoccupied with all the preparations that needed to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”