MARCH 18, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

MARCH 18 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: LUKE 10:38-42

We are often so busy doing for God, that we have little time to just sit and listen to Him. There is an occurrence in Jesus' ministry when He was visiting the home of two sisters. Jesus began to teach to those who were gathered there and one of the sisters, Mary, sat down to listen. The other sister, Martha, was busy getting everything ready and taking care of what she thought was most important. Martha was not happy that Mary was just sitting there listening instead of helping do things. So, she asked Jesus to tell her to get up and help. Jesus spoke to Martha and said, "You are worried about so much; you are so busy. Mary has chosen the best thing and I will not take it from her." The Lord desires that we spend more time with Him, rather than doing things for Him. Why? Because it is only as we spend that time with Him that we can ever know what it is that we really need to do.

The story of the two sisters is not an indictment on work. Nor is it a call to sit and do nothing. The message is that you and I can't really know our work or our next step in the Lord, unless we spend time with Him first. So often, even how the church functions is the opposite of what it should be. For example, take building projects in most churches...we determine there is a need for new buildings, we establish a committee, the committee comes up with a plan, the project is built, then we tell the people to demonstrate their faith in God and give to pay off the debt. In this scenario, which by the way I know is not true of all churches; faith is in the wrong place. Long before there was a committee, before any plans were made, before any construction was done, the church needed to spend time before the Lord asking Him what He wants. And before they moved ahead, the church needed to wait to hear from the Lord concerning what He wanted them to do. So often we make decisions in our lives and then we ask God to bless our decisions. We need to be asking the Lord what decision we need to make...listen for His answer...then, in faith, follow Him.

Please share your thoughts.