As I was cleaning the house one day, I was
talking with the Lord. I was frustrated
about some things that seemed to go south. Then that led me to complain about
some dreams that I had that seem to fizzle out.
I was frustrated about things that seemed to be . . . taken.
Or it felt that way at least. What
was going on? Then, that all too
familiar whisper echoed deep within my spirit.
“Mary chose
the good part, and it will NOT be taken from her.” (Read Luke 10:38-42)
Ohhhh. I realized there were so many things that
could be taken from me, so many things from this life which can be taken. Jobs can be lost. Relationships can give out. Dreams can be lost. Reputations can be smeared. Money can be drained. Even ministries can end. Our bodies even are decaying as we speak (so
encouraging, I know). And time is a
thief.
But there
is ONE incredible thing God himself says cannot be taken away from us. In the midst of my complaint, I felt RELIEF. There was one thing I could invest in that no
one could touch! There was something, if
I gave it time and attention, nothing could steal! What a stunning and beautiful promise Jesus
gave to Mary that day. I can’t imagine
the conversations between Martha and Mary after this dialogue with their
beloved Master. Or maybe there was just
awkward silence. I can’t imagine the feelings Martha felt at
hearing her precious Lord’s words about her sister.
There is
NOTHING that can steal the time we invest sitting at His feet. Jesus
says It can never be taken away. And, we will see the most warfare trying to
distract us from that place. I know this
all too well as a mom.
Martha did too . . .
There are constant
dirty dishes in the sink. There is an
unending flow of laundry. The bathrooms
are cleaned, but then I turn around and the toilet . . .
Then there
are the needs of our kids . . . endless needs.
These precious gifts require massive amounts of love, patience and
sacrifice.
If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
Why does
it seem like there is so much in the way of us establishing this precious
practice in our lives? Why does it seem
like all of hell wants to keep us from this place of prayer, hearing the Lord’s
heart?
Maybe the
enemy knows that when we find it, we become unshakable. David said:
"I have set the Lord continually before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8
Once we establish this habit, this position,
this posture, the enemy loses important ground.
Something in our lives becomes untouchable. And it’s the most important seat in our
hearts-it’s the very core of who we are.
This is where our identity flows from.
We find our true self in the eyes of our Creator. We know who we are when we know WHOSE we
are. We know who we are when we sit
before Him.
