Troubled By Many Things
Object Lesson:
When we are troubled, we need to take a moment to sit in the Lord’s presence.
Scripture(s)
Luke 10:38-42, Luke 5:15-16 9 {Scripture from New King James Study Bible}
Luke 10:38-42 says 38) Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house, 39) And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40) But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me. 41) And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, 42) But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her (NKJV).
How many of us can honestly remove Martha’s name and replace it with your own?
Many of us lead very busy lives. Not to mention, being in the midst of a pandemic doesn’t help matters much. We all are now faced with making necessary but uncomfortable changes in our already busy lives to adjust to this new normal brought on by COVID-19. In light of this, it can be much easier to direct our focus and energy toward the things we have to do and away from our God who says that in him all things are possible. Even in ministry we can become overwhelmed if we are not very careful. Just as Martha became distracted with her work, so do we. It is easy to hear, through her words, that she had become worried, overwhelmed and even frustrated. What is it in your life that leaves you feeling the same way Martha did?
You may be faced with financial woes or struggling to maintain healthy work-life balance. The list goes on. If we are not careful, this can become all that we know life to be. There is a necessary opportunity that we blindly miss just as Martha did. It is the opportunity to take time out to commune with our Lord and Savior. In verses 41 – 42, Jesus, himself, tells Martha that she is worried and troubled about many things but only one thing is needed. The one thing is that good part that Mary has chosen which will not be taken away from her. The good part is the time that she spent in the presence of Jesus, listening to his word. Verse 39 states that Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
Even in the midst of our hectic lives, we must give something up to give time back to the Lord. I recall a time, working at the hospital in Food & Nutrition, when I would carry a Bible just small enough to fit in my pocket. Every opportunity I got, I would pull it out and read at least 1 Scripture. I would even take a bathroom break in order to read and pray. I even went as far as to keep napkins in my other pocket so that I could quickly jot down anything the Lord placed on my heart as I delivered patient trays throughout the day. I would even have a word of prayer in the hospital chapel. By no means was this easy given the amount of attention the job required. I knew that I could not make it through the day without acknowledging our Lord and Savior who said he will not leave us nor forsake us.
As we continue through this season of fasting and prayer, be reminded that Jesus leads by example. Luke 5:15-16 states, 15) However, the report went around concerning him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.
16) So, He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed (NKJV). With such a great multitude of people coming to Jesus, he himself had to step away and go to the Father in prayer and so should we.
How many of us can honestly remove Martha’s name and replace it with your own?
Many of us lead very busy lives. Not to mention, being in the midst of a pandemic doesn’t help matters much. We all are now faced with making necessary but uncomfortable changes in our already busy lives to adjust to this new normal brought on by COVID-19. In light of this, it can be much easier to direct our focus and energy toward the things we have to do and away from our God who says that in him all things are possible. Even in ministry we can become overwhelmed if we are not very careful. Just as Martha became distracted with her work, so do we. It is easy to hear, through her words, that she had become worried, overwhelmed and even frustrated. What is it in your life that leaves you feeling the same way Martha did?
You may be faced with financial woes or struggling to maintain healthy work-life balance. The list goes on. If we are not careful, this can become all that we know life to be. There is a necessary opportunity that we blindly miss just as Martha did. It is the opportunity to take time out to commune with our Lord and Savior. In verses 41 – 42, Jesus, himself, tells Martha that she is worried and troubled about many things but only one thing is needed. The one thing is that good part that Mary has chosen which will not be taken away from her. The good part is the time that she spent in the presence of Jesus, listening to his word. Verse 39 states that Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
Even in the midst of our hectic lives, we must give something up to give time back to the Lord. I recall a time, working at the hospital in Food & Nutrition, when I would carry a Bible just small enough to fit in my pocket. Every opportunity I got, I would pull it out and read at least 1 Scripture. I would even take a bathroom break in order to read and pray. I even went as far as to keep napkins in my other pocket so that I could quickly jot down anything the Lord placed on my heart as I delivered patient trays throughout the day. I would even have a word of prayer in the hospital chapel. By no means was this easy given the amount of attention the job required. I knew that I could not make it through the day without acknowledging our Lord and Savior who said he will not leave us nor forsake us.
As we continue through this season of fasting and prayer, be reminded that Jesus leads by example. Luke 5:15-16 states, 15) However, the report went around concerning him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.
16) So, He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed (NKJV). With such a great multitude of people coming to Jesus, he himself had to step away and go to the Father in prayer and so should we.
Prayer
Gracious and Heavenly Father. We humbly sit here at your feet just as Mary did understanding the importance of being in a relationship with you. Our lives are busy and complicated day by day as we try our best to provide for ourselves, our families, and even as we serve in ministry. It is easy for us to take the same position as Martha and become frustrated and distracted in all that we do and not take time out for you. Father forgive us because we fall short of your glory daily. Your word states that if we draw near to you, you will draw near to us. Now here we are yearning for your presence and asking you to come near and speak a word of healing, strength, and guidance over us as we sacrifice time for personal fellowship with you. As we continue each day through Lent, fill us with your Holy Spirit and guide us into worship with you. We ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, AMEN!
written by: John C. Jones III
Posted in Too Busy Being Busy