Audrey and I live in a 62+ group of retirement homes. Everyone has a story about what is has taken to downsize from the larger homes we once lived in. Garages are full of stuff that we just can’t let go of yet. Then we are constantly enticed to acquire more, do more, have more, build more, learn more, and discover more new technologies. Also, because of our ages, I’m constantly confronted with a variety of medical treatments and hear about new advances in medicine that add years to life. In all of this I really have to wonder how much of this is really necessary?
St. Luke writes of the time that Jesus “entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who was also seated at the Lord’s feet, and was listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the serving by myself? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10 38-42 NASB) In Jesus mind, they would all ultimately get their dinner and enjoy their time around the table. Maybe it wouldn’t be quite as fancy and as ordered as Martha would have liked, but they would all be well fed, and enjoy themselves. Above all they would have grown a bit deeper in their understanding of the Lord and the life He desires for all.
What is essential in life? Is it that next great IPhone, or the next astounding medical breakthrough, or all that good stuff we have stored in the attic? I’m not advocating that we give up all of that. I haven’t. But I am saying that we need to listen to what Jesus said to Martha. We are worried and bothered about many things, but only one thing is necessary. And in truth, all the rest will then properly flow from that.
I ponder the depth of wisdom that came from writers; the beauty of art created; the ingenuity of design and construction of structures; and the fortitude of Christians facing persecution in centuries past. All this before the wonders electricity has provided. Yes, they had a harder and shorter life. Yes, the ordinary family had none of the conveniences we depend upon. But it was still possible to mature in the Lord and achieve good things.
Unfortunately, we are in an economy that requires a lot from us for many of the basics of life. Evan so, we need to make decisions based on what is of first important. Jesus called his disciples together one day and said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. for whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:34-36)
We read these and other verses from scripture. We do love the Lord and seek to honor and follow Him. I don’t question or doubt that. But we find ourselves having to ask “what does this mean to me today, in what I’m doing, in what I want to get done, or even accomplish in life? Those questions I can’t answer for you. And by asking them it is not my intention to make you feel guilty. I deal with the same questions about my time and my desires. But if we truly have a hunger in our heart to draw closer to our Lord, and we are seeking to listen to the Holy Spirit. Then He will make the way more clear. Our Lord does honor all who earnestly seek Him.
May you, dear one, find more ways to “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6 Do read the whole of Isaiah 55.)
God’s grace and Blessings,
Pastor Irv