It’s so easy to go along not realizing the danger you are in or about to face. Often life will give us subtle warning signs…other times there are glaring warnings…DO NOT ENTER, DANGER, or DO NOT GO BEYOND THIS BARRIER. Those are the easier ones to avoid, but what of the ones we never saw coming?
When I lived in Virginia there were times I had to drive to work or the store after a hard snow or ice storm. I would go slowly and keep a good distance between my car and those around me. However, there was a time or two that I would hit a patch of ice — you really could not even see it — your car would slide — it really wasn’t that difficult to panic and over correct. Well, usually the only place you would wind up then is in the ditch! I tried very hard to anticipate the thin patches of ice, but there were times it would sneak up on me and catch me off guard.
Life is that way, too! We putz along taking care of the endless details that need our attention. There are bills to pay, kids to feed, letters to answer, laundry to wash, and all of the other busy-ness of the day-to-day grind. I don’t know about you, but I can get so caught up in all there is to get done in the time allotted me that I will not pay attention to the catastrophe I am about to encounter. Before I know it…I’m flat on my face and stunned by the impact! I cry out to the Lord, “How did I miss it? How did I not see this coming directly toward me??”
I am learning to prepare for these thin patches of ice by surrendering my busy-ness to Him. I’m not much unlike dear Martha running around with all the preparations of putting supper on the table and not realizing the importance of sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening to Him.
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, 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 all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so 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)
When I am distracted with all that is going on around me and not keeping my eyes on Him, I’m bound to hit those thin patches of ice…I’m bound to be planted on my face…I’m bound to find myself grumbling as Martha did about Mary. It is imperative that I not distract myself with busy-ness — I must be like Mary and choose the good part…Jesus said, “[It] shall not be taken away.”
Yes, there will still be times that things catch me off guard and throw me for a loop! However, when my focus is on Him, those times will be less traumatic…there will certainly be a lot less time in the ditch!
My prayer for you during this season of busy-ness is that you will take time to be still and meditate on Him.
Azalea Trees and Tea Rooms 