Last evening I learned a beautiful lesson from my six year old stepson.  After coming home late from work, I walked in the door & received a hug hello, to which I asked my typical, “How was your day, Bub?”  He hung his head & barely above a whisper I could hear his response, “I got an email” (teacher’s notes to parents are via email & his dad had already talked to him about it).  I bent down on my knees & pulled him in close, he rested his head on my shoulder & I melted inside.  He genuinely felt bad; I could tell.  I asked what he did wrong & his daddy said he had a hard time sitting still in class.

I giggle to myself at the image of Jackson not being able to sit still in school when I compare it to myself, in every day life!  How many times does God want me to stop what I’m doing long enough to hear His voice as He whispers words of encouragement, reassurance, promise, or even conviction to my heart? Yet I fail to stop long enough to hear His voice, or read His Word, because “I can’t sit still”.

This reminds me of the story of Mary & Martha in Luke 10:38-42 NIV:

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

There are two parts to this passage that hit me:

1. Sitting at Jesus’ feet & hearing His Word was something Mary valued far more than making sure the food presentation was perfect, the linens ironed & her hair perfectly combed. Jesus made it clear that in choosing time with Him, His Word would not be taken away from her.  Matthew 24:35 KJV says, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
2. Jesus addressed the fact that Martha was “careful & troubled about many things”. He acknowledged her desire for perfection, but also reminded her that only one thing was needed and that was for her to hear His Word. How often do I get caught up trying to make my life as perfect as can be, as an offering to Jesus, yet all He really wants is for me to sit still & listen? The one thing I need the most is to hear His Word!  After all, He does say in Psalm 46:10 KJV, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Note that it is only after we are still before Him that He will be exalted among the heathens. We can’t reach the lost if we’re lost ourselves!

Jesus please forgive me for putting people, things & commitments above you; for failing to take the time to sit at your feet & read your Word, or listen to your voice.

Praying this touches your heart & encourages you to take the time to sit at Jesus feet; to bask in His love & His Word.  He truly is all we need.