As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had 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!”. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
God desires for us to surrender not strive. Every believer in Christ Jesus has been given the deposit of the precious Holy Spirit to equip us to serve in each of our spheres of influence through His power. And we all have spheres of influence – whether it is the children at our feet, the co-worker by our desk, the neighbor by our home, you get the drift. As believers, we are to bring Jesus to every encounter – His eyes, His hands, His feet, His Words of affirmation and encouragement. His desire is for us to be a prepared people going forth in His power for His glory. Martha was not wrong in seeking to prepare but in her own strength her “distractions” caused her to miss God’s best. If we are not fed spiritually we draw from an empty cup to give others. Prepared is the optimal word here as we cannot give what we do not have. Scripture stresses the fact that God’s people are to be a readied people, a people that have grown up in Him. No longer babies drinking mere milk. We are to study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen that do not need to be ashamed who can correctly handle God’s Word.
This is not a striving rather a lifestyle of His pouring into us and us pouring out to those around us. As we read and study His Word and apply it to our lives we cannot help but to share this goodness. In doing so, we are simply beggars telling other beggars where to get bread. What God gives us must be shared or we simply sit, soak and sour. Head knowledge merely puffs up but Biblical love acts and edifies. Our sharing is to be always done through His power for His glory and for our ultimate good. God never owns what mere flesh accomplishes. The One Who gives us the power is the One Who gets the glory.
Be aware. We do not live us unto ourselves. Believers have been bought with a high price and we are to honor God with our lives. In all we say, do and think may He be glorified.
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)
The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 (NIV)