Step into God's Presence and Enjoy His Love

With one daughter living right across the street, I get to say bye to Blake every morning before he heads to school.  Yesterday morning as I was watching for him to get in the truck with his dad, I saw a jeep driving by and slowing down. It dawned on me that it was my son! I got choked up because I hadn’t seen him in a quite a few days and we hadn’t had a chance to talk either. I just whispered to myself, “My son, my son”. He came in for just a moment with his buddy and I got a really good hug! Although it was only a quick visit, I was thankful for that little bit of time to see him in person.  I love my kids a lot, so seeing any one of them even for a bit is good to my heart.  I have high hopes and great desires for my adult children, but I love them just the way they are – unconditionally. I would never withhold my love from them even if I didn’t see them for long spells.  They are my children. 

As he and his buddy drove away, I thought to myself, is that how the Lord feels? When His kids spend weeks doing their own thing or being busy with life.  Then to take a moment to open His Word and feast at His table.  Does He get excited to fellowship with his children? You bet He does! He loves His “kids” more than I love my own and that’s something. 

I also wonder at how refreshed I feel when I step into the presence the One Who loves me unconditionally. When I take time to talk with the Lord, and get His perspective on my life and feel His loving and tender care surround me.  

I know how busy life can get, I know how the bills must be paid and the jobs have to get done. I know that it’s easy to fall into worry, fear, guilt, and more. We find ourselves worn out, done in and feeling low. We wonder how we got this way and so we down an energy drink or a power bar and try to hurry on.

Oh beloved, won’t you stop for a moment and bask in the presence of the One Who not only loves you completely and with no hesitation, but cares for you eternally - more than His own life? He went to the cross for you, He descended into the grave for you, He rolled the stone away for you and He’s coming again for you!  Step into His Word and feel His arms around you as the cares of this world melt away in the light of His glory and grace!

Psalm 123:1-2 I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.  We keep looking to the Lord our God for His mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.

Micah 7:7 As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.

Psalm 37:7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Psalm 91:1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

First Things First

Mary and Martha are biblical sisters that have been talked about a lot. They’ve been the object of Bible studies, discussions, arguments and more. They were probably the talk of the town back in their day.

Sisters don’t always get along. Obviously Mary and Martha didn’t. Their personalities were very different.  I remember my own sister, who was 23 years older than me. We saw life very differently, argued about things and agreed to disagree at times. As we got older we began to see more of our likenesses than our differences. We didn’t know as we grew closer that we wouldn’t have much more time together, but God in his mercy doesn’t let us know everything all at once.

Sisters do things differently.  It’s apparent that Mary and Martha were the same.

Martha was intent on figuring out how she might feed the Lord; Mary intent how she might be fed by the Lord.

Both things were needful. They had a special guest in their home and Martha wanted her meal to match the Visitor. I get that. Often when we have company I stress and fuss about the food and the house. I get to thinking I need a week off to clean, shoot – even remodel – the house! I want to make something special, which may translate to “hard to make”.  Finally by the time it’s all over, I have relaxed and the guests feel at home and we have a good time.

Mary was so excited to see Jesus that she just couldn’t take her eyes off of Him. She was so busy enjoying the fellowship she forgot all about the food.  She was feasting on the Manna present in human form right there in her living room. 

Often we get busy being busy. All our busy-ness has its place. We just have to do dishes, wash laundry, vacuum floors, make the bed, cook, buy things, pay bills, etc. All of us either work outside the home or in the home. Our yards have to get mowed occasionally, the oil has to be changed in the vehicles, the tires need replacing and kids need help. Husbands and wives need time for themselves and families need time for fun.

If we’re not careful we’ll find ourselves overwhelmed with the busy-ness of life and let the spiritual side of our lives wane. It’s the unseen part of our lives in many ways so it’s the easiest to let go. If you don’t mow your yard folks are going to know right away. If you don’t spend time with the Lord, people don’t always know right away.

Oh beloved, have you been worrying about the stuff of life? Have you slipped into busy and not realized that it’s taking the place of your needful things? Maybe you’re in church, but you have forgotten that you’re in Christ. While it’s easy to do, there is One Who wants to call you into sweet fellowship! God has a wonderful plan for your life and it is full of time for both the physical demands of life and the spiritual needs as well. In fact, when your spirit life is being filled, you will find that the other things just fall into place. Stop and take a moment to sit at the feet of Jesus, for that is where  your peace, your joy, your faith reside. Without your special time together, you’ll be running through the motions on empty, but filled with His love and care, you will find your life tuned up and running a lot smoother! He loves you and He’s for you! Ask Him and He will give you more Mary time in this Martha world.

Luke 10:40-42 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.”

Psalm 5:3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.