Not Martha Again!

Lately I've been busy like I know many of you are. In thinking about my busy life I looked to the scriptures to tell me about busy. Well, one of the first ones I found was Luke 10:40 "But Martha (overly occupied and too busy) was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me (to lend a hand and do her part along with me)!" AMP

I don't know about you but I get tired of poor, old Martha being brought up every time we talk about busy. Is it because it hits too close to home? I really, really want to say "no, uh-uh, not me"! But, if I'm going to be honest I have to say "yes".

This past weekend I was talking to a dear friend is Israel. She was discussing some of the problems in their congregation. She said believers in Israel need to learn that their lives have to have the right priorities - God, family, their congregation and then free time. I sat right there with the phone to my ear and agreed with her. Not long after that is when the "niggling" started.
Have you ever had something to start "niggling" in your brain until you have to sit down and think it through.

Look where she placed free time... after congregation! To believers in Israel their congregation and the people in their congregation are very important. It is not like in the western world. There are not churches on every street corner. The people there meld and become family. They truly love each other. They work through problems. They help each others with their needs.

I had to start asking myself some hard questions:
~ Have I missed being a good mother/grandmother because of the busy-ness of ministry?
~ Have I missed talking to someone or helping someone because of my busy-ness?
~ Do people think I am unapproachable because they think I am too busy?

Once again the Lord has gently reminded me that I need to stop being so blasted busy! I want sit at His feet and listen... just listen. One problem that goes along with busy-ness is that we usually talk too much. The Lord doesn't have time to say anything to us when we only stop long enough to take a breath because we are already working on the next day/week/month or project/lesson or ________ you fill in the blank.

I hope you will stop this week and sit at Jesus feet and just listen. Listen to what He says about your priorities. Listen to what He says about the people in your congregation or on your street or at the grocery store or the person on the phone or the person who cuts you off in traffic. God has A LOT to say if we will get quiet and listen.

With love & hugs,
Janet

PS... my quick search for the word "busy" only brought up a list of 10 and none of them were good! I encourage you to search on your own and see what the Lord has for you.