The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "A Closer Walk" for Sunday, 10 September 2017 - Read Luke 10:38-42

The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "A Closer Walk" for Sunday, 10 September 2017 - Read Luke 10:38-42
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Luke 10:38 On their way Yeshua and his talmidim came to a village where a woman named Marta welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister called Miryam who also sat at the Lord’s feet and heard what he had to say. 40 But Marta was busy with all the work to be done; so, going up to him, she said, “Sir, don’t you care that my sister has been leaving me to do all the work by myself?” 41 However, the Lord answered her, “Marta, Marta, you are fretting and worrying about so many things! 42 But there is only one thing that is essential. Miryam has chosen the right thing, and it won’t be taken away from her.”

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The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.” [Luke 10:41-42 (CEB)]
A Bible study reflection question caught my attention: What three things in your life keep you from a closer relationship with God? Instantly, the word busyness came to mind, followed by the words worry and fear.
When I retired, I envisioned days filled with reading, studying, writing, and indulging in the hobbies I enjoy. Instead I find myself engulfed in a schedule that seems as frantic as earlier days when I raised children, held a job, and maintained a household.
I began to consider, What does God want from me? While I believe that God wants me to care for my family, church, and community, I also believe God wants my time and attention. God desires that I have more balance in my life. Do I rush from one activity to the next, or do I take time to build a stronger relationship with God? Today, I dropped my busyness and went for a long walk in the crisp air and sunshine on the mountain close to my home. My mind was totally focused on the magnificence and beauty of God’s creation. I had no room for worry or fear.
When we take time out from the demands of our daily lives, we can find a peaceful path, closer to God.
Read more from the author, here.
More from Janice LeMaster
I have always been fascinated by the Martha / Mary story in the Bible. It is a personal struggle I have lived with now for my entire adult life (50+ years). I see myself as the epitome of a Martha personality type – the one who rushes about serving, always too anxious to focus on “what really matters”. While that is how I see myself, I very much want to be the other sister, Mary.
I want to be the one who is cool, calm, and collected — the one who sits and absorbs the words of wisdom. I yearn to be the one who seeks, listens, and reflects — the person who can ignore the mundane tasks waiting to be completed while achieving the delicate balance between time spent building a strong relationship with God and time spent serving God’s children.
It would be so nice to tell you that I have accomplished the balancing act which I mentioned in my devotional. Unfortunately, that would not be true. The truth is that I continue to search for that balance between Mary and Martha. Some days are better than others. Some days I can put the busyness and anxiety aside at least for a little while. Other days there is no hope since the little part of the world I live in seems to demand my complete attention.
Like many other churches, our church has changed in recent years. Our membership is smaller than in years past and our average age has increased. Fewer people means more effort is required from those who are able in order to continue our role as a vibrant, serving community of disciples. The temptation and the perceived need to hurry from one project to another often become stronger than I can resist. The sense of urgency often invades my quiet time with God even though I try hard to hold it at bay.
The days are full and the needs are many. I will continue to search and pray for balance in my life as I grow and go in the direction God leads me. I am thankful for the many opportunities and doors which God opens for me daily. [Janice Hagood LeMaster]
The Author: Janice Hagood LeMaster (Alabama, USA)
Thought for the Day: I will make time for God today.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the beauty of the world you created. Help us to make time for you today and every day as we focus on a closer walk with you. Amen.
Prayer focus: Retirees
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