We live in a world where we are taught to live in the fast lane, to always stay busy. Society tells us to get a job, go to college, travel, get married have kids, etc. It's okay to want to accomplish our goals and be happy, but why do we insist on rushing these things? What we should be doing is slowing down. The story of Mary and Martha in the Bible (Luke 10:38-42) is a good example of not only the kind of relationship we should have with Jesus but how we should go about our daily lives.
If you're not familiar with the story it's about the two different encounters he has with the sisters. As Jesus was sitting in their home, Mary sat with Jesus, engaging in conversation and listening to his every word. Meanwhile, Martha is running around the house getting everything prepared for their house guest. After realizing that she's doing all of the work, Martha gets fed up that Mary isn't helping, but Jesus pulls Martha to the side and lets her know that she's the one in the wrong. Why you ask? Martha had chosen worry and busyness over listening to Jesus and resting at his feet. I think we forget how big our God truly is so we tend to run around like Martha trying to get everything perfect, when in reality all we have to do is trust in God with all of heart that he'll make a way out of no way.
I recently moved back home from my college town and it's been so good being back with my mom and sister, but it's made me realize that I don't take time out to really enjoy life and all it has to offer. While in Huntsville, I worked as a barista at Starbucks so my day consisted of waking up at 4:45 am (yes you read that correctly) for work and getting off later in the afternoon. Eight hours out of my day consisted of me being on bar (making the drinks) constantly moving. Honestly, half the time people would talk to me and I wouldn't even realize it because I was in the zone trying to make drinks faster. While working there I encountered many people and I learned that we are always in a rush. From elementary teachers, doctors, Wal-Mart employees, the mom of eight carpooling, the different people that would come through drive-thru were rushing to get somewhere or to do something (you wouldn't believe the number of people who would drive off forgetting their drinks).
Slowing down does two of many things:
It allows you to slow down.
It allows you to get in touch with what your soul longs for- the things you actually want.
Hurried people are fueled by obligation. Luke 10:42 says, "Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." We should want to be like Mary, quiet, patient, and seeking the one thing. I pray that we choose patience and that we find rest in Him verses living a crazy and hectic life without Him. I pray that we ultimately choose Jesus.
We want so much out of life that we forget to slow down and actually live it. If we're springing through life, cell phone in one hand, cappuccino in the other, we cannot lay hold of that life and power that comes when we know we are deeply loved. We cannot experience the healing power of Jesus in our lives. Hurry injures us.
So ask yourself, "Am I a Mary or a Martha?"
