The ONE habit that changed me
I was reading the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 the other day. You know, the one where Martha asks Jesus to make Mary help her with all of the work that had to be done? I couldn't help but think, that each of these women represented me (and maybe you) at one time or another.
There's Martha, actively serving Jesus, but she's missing Jesus. She is busy in the "doing" of life. Her life is pressured and filled with distractions. In the Martha phases of my life, I have to be honest with you.. if I tried to sit still at the feet of Jesus, I would be distracted by the world that spun wildly in my head. Don't get me wrong- I could read my Bible, soak in a good devotional, and volunteer every last minute of my time- "doing" for Jesus. But I refused to sit still, and I was missing Jesus.
"Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on Me- The very thing you've been unwilling to do." ~ Isaiah 30:15-16 (MSG)
Then there is Mary.... she's the woman I aspire to be. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, LISTENING to Him. She is "being" with Jesus, enjoying intimacy with Him, loving Him, and taking pleasure in His presence. Her life has one center of gravity-Jesus. That's who I want to be.
"I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with Him in His house my whole life long. I'll contemplate His beauty; I'll study at His feet. That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world." ~ Psalm 27:4-5 (MSG)
Last year, I adopted a new habit and it has changed my life more than food, exercise, books or people. It has brought healing, freedom, acceptance, and joy. Last year, I started sitting with Jesus quietly. No reading, no talking, just listening and soaking in what He had for me. I used the Christian mediations from Holy Yoga to guide me, and I can joyfully say, it has changed my whole appetite and pace of life. Want to give them a try??
