Life has a way of becoming too busy. We rush around preparing for Christmas, never stopping to think why we are celebrating. We become involved with our children's activities, caring for aging parents, keeping the house sparkling clean or trying to advance in our chosen careers. As the adage says: "We rush around like chickens with our heads cut off."
It was the same 2,000 years ago in Jesus' time. When He visited the home of His friends, Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus in Bethany, He was welcomed warmly. Since He traveled on foot, He was probably tired and hungry when He arrived.
The little family welcomed Jesus at the door. After He was seated comfortably, Martha rushed off to the kitchen to prepare an elegant meal for their guest. Mary, on the other hand, sat down at Jesus' feet, anxious to listen to His words.
As time passed. Martha became annoyed. Here she was, working hard to make a delicious supper, while her sister just sat and listened to Jesus. It wasn't fair! At last she was upset enough to take her problem to Jesus.
"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!” (Luke 10: 40). Martha probably expected Jesus to tell Mary to get up immediately, and go and help her sister, but Jesus' answer was surprising.
“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.” (Luke 10: 41-42). Jesus implied that what Martha was doing was good but what Mary chose to do was better.
In our day, it is good to prepare for Christmas, to care for our families, to keep our homes clean and to work diligently at our jobs, but it more important to take time out and listen to what God has to say to us.
After all. our earthly concerns will be relevant for only a few brief years. Our relationship with God affects where we will spend eternity. It's a matter of having our priorities in order.
We cannot sit at Jesus' feet today, like Mary did, and listen to His words. How does God communicate with us today, in 2012?
God communicates today in many ways: through His words in the Bible, through sermons at the church, through nature, through the words of our friends, and through events in our lives. However, if we don't stop and reflect on these things soon after they occur, we will miss the message God wants us to hear.
Like Mary, we need to sit down, open our hearts to the message God is imparting, and reflect on it. The Bible tells us how to go about it.
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Instead of rushing around like headless chickens, we need to stop frequently, quiet both mind and body for a few minutes, and reflect on the word of God, and the events taking place in our lives.. God may have an important message today which He is anxious for us to hear. He needs our cooperation.
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