Sitting at His feet is better
I am adapting.
Yep.
That’s the phase of life I’m in, meaning, I’m adjusting to a new normal. Different ways of doing things. And not just new methods, but new ways of thinking too.
I used to be a lot busier and able to handle more at once. But juggling too much at once is, well, too much at once for me these days. So slowing down has been necessary, not just because of COVID, but because I personally have to.
This adjustment phase, thanks to brain trauma, hasn’t been easy, because I’m so used to serving God through acts of service. I do a lot for Him as a way of showing my love, devotion and commitment to His Kingdom. Being a doer has been my modus operandi for so many years that being out of “doer mode,” so-to-speak, feels strange. I feel less fruitful. I want to do more for God.
But this morning, during my devotion time, the Lord led me to the story of sisters Mary and Martha, friends of Jesus, in Luke 10:38-42. I have read this biblical account on many different occasions and have shared about it often. Only this time, the Lord directed the speech that Jesus delivered to Martha at her home in Bethany to me.
Jesus was over for dinner when Martha got frustrated with her sibling Mary for not helping her with the preparations. While Martha was busy working, Mary was seated at Jesus’s feet soaking in all His powerful teaching.
Martha said, “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” (vv. 40-42).
Jesus uses the Greek word merimnaó when He tells Martha she is “worried.” And that word means to be anxious or over-anxious about something or to be distracted by it. Through this story, God was telling me that, like Martha, I was distracted and over-anxious about doing the work, when really, sitting at His feet is better.
Mary was in tune with the Lord, soaking up His essence, eager to glean wisdom. And this wasn’t the only time she found herself at Jesus’s feet. After the Messiah raised her brother Lazarus from the dead, it was Mary who was in tune with the Lord. Her lavish act of worship is recorded in Scripture, when she poured expensive perfume from an alabaster jar that was worth about a year’s wages all over Jesus’s feet. She then dried His feet with her hair in John 12:1-11. Mary chose what was better, again.
After I closed my Bible, I understood what God was saying to me: He doesn’t need my works. My hunger to know Him and worship Him, which has only intensified over the past year, is better than outward symbols of my devotion. Being seated at His feet is better.
I felt so thankful to receive confirmation that where I am in life right now is pleasing to the Lord. He isn’t disappointed in me because I may not be able to do all I once did, despite feeling disappointed in myself at times. God delights in my desire just to be close to Him.
The same is true for you. Learn from the lesson God imparted to me today, and don’t be preoccupied with all that extra stuff, because God is more concerned with your heart’s posture. As long as you are surrendered and submitted, He is pleased.
Today, join me in meditating on Psalm 16:11 NKJV, which says, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, choose what is better. Stay seated at His feet. That’s where the real joy is anyway.
Now, let’s pray.
God, I often get distracted and anxious over many things, but thank You for refocusing me and reminding me that as long as my greatest delight is knowing You, loving You, and worshiping You, then You are pleased with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!