It is all too often than I tell myself, “Today is another red letter day.” Another day where I admit that there is nothing good about me…nothing. I try to start the day off right, but something trips me up and the next thing I know, I have fallen over my face and have landed on my backside. I envision myself looking around like I’m not really sure what just happened, but not only my pride is bruised, but so is my bottom. I stand up. Dust myself off. And when I to go take another step, I fall right back down. Why does this keep happening? I mean, I can do all things through Christ, right? I expect myself to get an impossible amount of tasks done and then feel like a failure when I don’t accomplish the impossible.
The problem? I rely too much on myself.
When I schedule things to do, I often schedule too much . When I say that I will complete a task, I don’t consider the other 55 things I have going on at the same time. Why? I guess I am just trying to be helpful. I am trying to take stress off of other people. I get so bogged down that I can’t do what I am supposed to do. Worship God through serving others. Have you ever been so busy serving others that you couldn’t serve others?
Martha had the same problem. She ran around getting things ready to eat and cleaning and preparing instead of serving Jesus by just spending time with Him. Mary had it right. She waited on Jesus. Probably brought him water to wash with but then just sat with him…and listened. She just enjoyed the relationship. Now, we don’t know what Jesus said to Mary, but we do know what He said to Martha. He basically said “Mary is doing the right thing. She is just spending time with me and getting to know Me. But, you? You are running around in the kitchen and missing the whole reason I am here.”
But wait!!! There is a difference! Have you ever been to a restaurant? Sure you have! The people that serve you are called “waiters.” So I don’t really think that waiting on God means that you just sit on the couch and not do anything in the meantime. If you are praying toward God’s call in your life, then start serving. It may be something small, like volunteering to clean the toilets at church a few times a month. Or maybe you could volunteer at a soup kitchen one weekend a month. You don’t have to fill your schedule with ministry because if you are too busy when God calls, then he may very well pass you by. Back to the restaurant… A waiter’s job is to make sure that you have everything that you need. I good waiter will be able to see a need and meet it without causing the table conversation to be disturbed. Refill the tea glasses, bring straws and extra napkins, drop by and make your presence known and represent the establishment professionally. We are to be much the same. Do those things that you can clearly see need to be done. When the time comes for the check, offer to clean up (the table) and pass along the ticket (the truth). So what is your tip? Your “thank you” for actively waiting? Easy, your rewards are being stored up in Heaven. Crowns and jewels and fine metals for you to later lay at Jesus feet.
So my goal is this. Take this plate that I’ve filled up so much and begin to empty it off. Lose the things that are not put there by Jesus. Put the relationship first and the works second. Maybe if I am building the relationship with Jesus, HE will show me what needs to be done. Maybe? There is no question about that.
So if you are a plate-filler. STOP!!! Set down you agenda. Sit down with Jesus and let Him show you how and who to serve. It might surprise you that you have more time and are more fulfilled in life…not to mention blessed.
MTP
Prodigal Thinker 