Just One Thing

"I just need to pick up this one thing"
Dawn said as she closed the car door and headed off into the Publix.
Immediately the banter began as her husband Tony said 2-
Then daughter Sarah chimed in,
"Are you counting the Coke-
I put the Coke in my count and I say 3".
Tony chuckles back, "No, the Coke is a given-
So I guess with that I will have to say 3 as well".

It seems there is a running wager-
Everytime my Sister-in-Law goes into a store-
For just one thing-
How many "things" she will eventually emerge with.
My wife Julie is the same-

Could it be a Woman thing?

I feel like maybe I am treading on precarious ground here-
So I best move on!

Actually, I am the same-
Not so much in shopping, but in thinking-
I start off on one idea, but before long........

My friends call it chasing rabbits-

I call it the leading of the Holy Spirit!

Anyway-
I suppose we all are subject to distraction-
And is there really ever "Just One Thing"?

Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

She came to Jesus and asked,

 “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?

Tell her to help me!”

    “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered,

“You are worried and upset about many things,

but few things are needed—or indeed Only One.

 Mary has chosen what is better,

And it will not be taken away from her.” 

Ah, the one thing that really matters-

The Only Thing-

The Only Thing that will not be taken away.

Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit-

I pray that as we go through this day that all the lesser things,

The things that woo and distract-

That they all would fade into nothingness-

As we set our hearts toward uniting with Your Great Heart-

Even in these lesser things.

Matthew 6:33

Amen 

What's the hurry?

Slow Down.

These are the words that God gave me this morning as I awoke from some dream or other.

I wish I could remember it.

Driveness has plagued me as long as I can remember. One of my all time favorite quotes is from Vince Lombardi- The iconic coach of the Green Bay Packer dynasty of the 60's. Lombardi said,

"The Quality of a man's life is in direct proportion to his pursuit of excellence"

I love the quote- I think it is spot on............... Except for my own over emphasis of one word-

Pursuit

Is there ever a time to set aside the pursuit and rest? In my mind I say yes-

My heart and actions tell a different story-

I am driven- Relentlessly in pursuit of.................... Something-

Sometimes I get so busy I am not even sure what.

Mary, Martha and Lazarus loved Jesus- Jesus really seemed to enjoy spending time with them as well. On one occasion when Jesus was over for a visit it seems the family decided to have some folks over. Martha was a worker. Give the woman a task and get out of the way as she became a whirling dervish of motion and effeciency. A woman after my own heart- On a mission- Driven for everything to come together- just so. It was a good thing. It is a good thing for all of us to be able to rise to the occasion and "Get 'er Done". Maybe sometimes though it is not the best thing.

Mary on the other hand seemed a little more laid back- maybe even a little flighty- not so practical as her sister. It seems on this particular occasion as Martha was busy preparing for the guests and Jesus- Mary had decided to simply take some time and sit with Jesus- Visiting- Listening- Enjoying the time with Him.

Now as you can imagine as Martha was working her hind end off to make the preparations for a nice little party while her sister was just sort of chilling out with Jesus- Martha began to get a little resentful- a little angry even- not only at her sister, but at Jesus as well for not telling Mary to get up and get busy.

It's really odd that as I write these very words I am trying to hurry up and get ready to go out of town to relax a bit- Yet my very driveness will not allow me to stop until I'm done. What did I say about my actions a minute ago? Lord help me!

Anyway as Martha Complains to Jesus- His reply is recorded in Luke 10:41 as He said,

"Martha, Martha-You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better- and it will not be taken away from her."

Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, "Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Lord Jesus help me- help me to slow down and come to You- Today, this weekend and all the time to come. Help me to live the better way.

Amen

Indecision and God's Leading

Just now- Today- and over these last few days I am at a point of indecision. I have done everything I know to do to resolve the situation- to help me make a good, sound, smart decision and yet things are no clearer. There is angst. There is a sense of unsettledness about my spirit. Should I do this or that- and if I do this will I miss on the possibility of that. I would love to have a burning bush to command me. I would love to hear the voice of God clearly say, "Charles you should........" but it has not come and the angst continues. If only I could know how this or that would turn out- If only I had more information. Phillipians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God and the Peace of God which transcends understanding will gaurd your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I can not look for the Peace in the granting of the request- but from Trusting in the Goodness and Love and Power of the Grantor.

This morning God has led me to the answer to end my angst. Prayer Oswald Chambers- May 26- "Pray without Ceasing." God always answers prayer. But I have prayed and yet still there is no clear- "Do this Charles"- answer. Ah, but there has been something. Something I can only describe as the rumbling of the Holy Spirit through my mind and heart - A sensation like hearing or feeling a hard wind blow. One of my favorite verses comes to mind-a message from God Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. The rumblings of the Holy Spirit tell me God is with me. Phillipians 4:5 "The Lord is near" I hear Him say, " Seek Me Charles and stop worrying about how this or that will turn out. Trust Me Charles- Delight in Me Charles and see where I lead you. Be thankful in all things- Even in where you are right now- it is no mistake. Let go of your regrets over past decisions. Desire Me above all the rest and be Thankful - Rejoice in all things- Knowing- really knowing- I am with you and am working all this for your heart to become even more united to My Own Heart. Father in Heaven, I will trust You- I will seek You as my great desire- above all the other things that want a hold on me- Lead me in Your way for me- show me what You want me to do and show me in such a clear way that I can not even begin to deceive myself - nor can the enemy deceive me- to go any other way. Bring on me the Peace that transcends understanding- Grow me in my trusting You. All praise be to You my Lord Jesus, my Heavenly Father, Spirit of the Living God for how all of this will turn out. Thy Kingdom come- Thy Will be done. Amen

Worry and Control

I have been known to live by a to-do list. Some people would say I am over the top with my to-do list. For instance, there have been times I have done something not on my to-do list- then written it on my to-do list- just so I could check it off. Ahhh checking things off....... finishing....... tying up all the loose ends........... finding that final sense of closure.........

It is such a sweet feeling- to know something is settled.

No more need to worry over it.

Unfortunately, most of life is not this way- and therein lies the source of so much of my angst. It seems I always have multiple projects in progress- or I am in the turmoil of a job search - or I have some issue that is unsettled with someone I care about. It's all so stressful- worrisome- even Godless. Why do I have such a hard time taking hold of God's promises? Seek first the Kingdom of God and all the rest will be taken care of. All things work together for good to them that Love God. He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. In all ways acknowlege Him and He will make your paths straight. Pray and the Peace of God will gaurd your heart. I want what I want- and I want it now- done- settled- in a neat little package with a ribbon on top- And I will resort to whatever means are necessary that do not offend my conscience too much or get me in trouble to have what I want. I will plan- I will use my cleverness- I will use my influence- I will use my authority- I will............ It is such a Godless, arrogant, stressful, miserable way to live. It is like saying to God- Thy will be done (as long as your will aligns with Mine). It is a way of living fueled by lies........ Fueled by an enemy who is the father of lies- whose native tongue is a language of lies...........Fueled by corrupted desires............Fueled by a world gone mad...........Fueled by a mistrust of God- just like in the Garden where the serpent began it all with his great lie- God is holding out on you- Eat from this tree then you can be like Him. Away with the lies- Hold fast to Truth God is Good- God Loves me! He has Life for me beyond what I can even imagine. No eye has seen, No ear has heard and No mind has imagined what God has in store for those who Love Him. Hold fast to the Truth right in the middle of the turmoil. Seek Him-Delight in Him. Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Friend Jesus, Holy Spirit, move in me powerfully today to always remember what is true- to cling to what is true. Come against the enemy of my heart with Love and Truth. Forgive me where I waver- where I worry- where I doubt You. Send me people spur me on to Love and Truth. Amen