Choose Presence

I keep a running list in my head of everything that has to get done today. The emails. The dishes. The calls I haven't returned. Sound familiar?

There's a woman in Luke 10 who knows exactly what that feels like.

Luke 10:38-41
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 few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."Martha, like us, gets carried away doing all the things — especially the "right" things. And that often leaves us resentful, irritable, and exhausted, like we're laboring nonstop with no help at all.

When Martha brings her frustration to Jesus, He doesn't hand her the solution she asked for. He gently acknowledges her plight — and offers her insight instead.

Sometimes we feel like Jesus isn't hearing us. And when He does respond, it's not what we asked for.

Here's what we sometimes miss in this text, and in life: Martha wasn't doing anything wrong. Serving others hospitably is something God calls us to do. Her request wasn't a bad one.

But instead of giving Martha what she requested, He gave her something better — an invitation to do thebestthing. To be present with Him.

Life will always hand you a list full of to-do's. So much so that you're constantly wondering where you'll find the time to get to all of it.

When life gets overwhelming, there's one choice that will always be the right one: choose to be present.

Being in God's presence is the greatest gift we have unlimited access to — and the very best way to spend our time.

Imagine how much simpler life becomes when you wake up each morning knowing you only have one thing to do: follow Him.

The rest will take care of itself.

What ways can you accept God's invitation to "Just Be Present" with Him?

#presence