How are things at work? Busy. How are things at home? Busy.
We live in an increasingly busy world.
Being busy does not always mean you’re getting anything done.
The fuller my calendar, the less I accomplish.
The Pareto Principle: 20% of your effort gives you 80% of your results.
“You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything.” – John Maxwell
Modern American church has a lot of activity. We keep you busy. The number one reason evangelicals cited for leaving the church – “We’re exhausted.”
Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Mary understood who Jesus was. She wanted to learn from him. Mary saw what others didn’t see.
John 11:1-2
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)
John is sending us on a quest, linking his stories together.
John 12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Matthew 11:27-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
YOKE = CANON of TEACHING / RULES
There is a lot to be busy with, but only one thing is needed.
Sitting at Jesus feet – an idiom for receiving teaching
Listening to Jesus is the most important thing.
This week you will interact with a lot of busy, overworked, stressed-out people. Will you show them how to be a Mary or a Martha?
Peace in the midst of chaos is a powerful proof of the life of Christ in me. Conversation with a former co-worker – “Yes, I remember – you have a whole life…work is one part of it.”
TABLE TALK
Do you have just a little sympathy for Martha? Why or why not?
What does “Sitting at Jesus feet” look like in the 21st century?
This seems pretty simple. Why is it so hard?
How’s your week looking? How can you be a an example of peace in the midst of chaos?
ONE MORE THING
If Jesus’ “yoke is easy and his burden light” but we are stressed out trying to follow HIm, then we’re doing it wrong.
One thing is needed. When things go gonzo, find some time to sit at his feet, to take off your self-imposed burdens and take on his.