I wrote a song several years ago about Jesus’ encounter with Mary & Martha from Luke 10:38-42 titled Listen to His Heart. I can remember being so gripped by the importance of just sitting and listening that I had to write a song about it!
Lately I have been thinking about this fast-paced, non-stop, schedule-driven life style that we have embraced in the 21st century! There are so many things to do and seemingly just not enough time to do them. Adding to that is high-speed Internet and digital information flying at us at the speed of light, and SO MANY THINGS vying for our attention… It all equates into even more difficulty to just slow down, stop and listen to the heart of God.
I don’t know about you, but I am useless and frail without a consistent renewal of my mind in God’s love and purposes in my life. Without regular prayer, reading and reflection, I become weak and disoriented quickly!
I met Jesus when I was 19 years old and gave Him my all. He became everything to me, and time alone with Him and His Word were non-negotiable. Then came life with marriage, children, ministry dreams and purposes, which are all gifts from GOD, but were never intended to get in the way of God!
Oh, and then there is that lofty TO-DO LIST that seems to drive us and keep us accountable to be responsible, mature adults. Oy Vey! What a false deceptive god that can be if we don’t keep that list in its place!
I found at times in my journey that my To-Do list and emails with alarms and popups on my phone and computer were pulling me into work way too fast in the mornings. SO I decided to turn it around and use it for my good, placing the most important things on the top of that list:
- Enjoy time with God and His Word
- Worship & Rejoice in the Lord
- Be Thankful and express Gratitude for all He has done
- Pray in the Spirit
- Pray for my wife, kids, grandkids, friends
- Sit and listen to what He is speaking to me
I know this sounds elementary, but it’s been a blessing! With everything pulling for our time today, especially in the mornings, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to go ahead and use digital technology to remind us of the most important things in life! And those daily Bible verses that pop up are a great way to start the day! (Check out the You Version website and mobile app if you don’t already have something in place)
Jesus addressed this struggle of the To-Do List versus Sitting-and-Listening in the passage from Luke 10:38. It says, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His words, but Martha, her sister struggled (with her TODO list).
Jesus settled this issue forever:
Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part,
which will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:41,42)
I love this!! Yes there are many important things in life that need our attention but there is only ONE THING NEEDED and of highest priority:
Our Time with HIM!
As this new year takes off and seems to just all of sudden be FILLED with activity like the year before, make sure you choose to change this year by choosing the good part:
Change your priorities and they will change your life!
He loves us so much and has so many amazing things to show us. This year, don’t let anything get in the way of your time with God. Make Listening to His Heart your #1 priority and joy!
So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you
His love and compassion. (Isaiah 30:18 NLT)
Listening,
P.S. You can purchase this classic tune by itself or download the entire CD of Seeing By Faith from our website or on iTunes. It’s full of Music to Enrich Your Heart!
Other songs that you may want to purchase that go along with this message:
Favorite Place and/or The Living God both on our Simply Worship CD.
Or even better, purchase the entire Simply Worship CD and sit in His presence
Here are a few more scriptures to encourage you in this area:
Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand at my watch post;
I will remain stationed on the city wall.
I will keep watching, so I can see what he says to me
and can know how I should answer
when he counters my argument. (NET)
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJ)
Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.
She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (NLT)
Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. (NLT)
