In our world today, we are often defined by what we do. Our value is determined by our productivity and ability to do something that others want or need. This has severe implications for our Life with God. God values us differently. He loves us first, without condition, no strings attached. His love for us does not increase or decrease based on our productivity or activity.

Consider the story of Jesus with Mary and Martha:

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him 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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:38-42

Jesus said that Mary chose the the better thing. While Martha was busy doing and trying to be productive, Mary was simply being with Jesus. This story might frustrate some of us. “How can Mary just sit there and be told that she is doing the better thing?” we may wonder. Here Jesus is teaching us about the difference between doing and being; contemplation and action.

Because of the values of the world around us, we are often tempted to take the part of Martha. Go, go, go! Busy, busy, busy! Often we exclaim, “I’m so busy!” as if it is something to brag about! But, Jesus is showing us a different way here; a better way. When we follow the lead of Mary, we learn to simply be with God. When we do this, and make it a regular part of the rhythm of our life, we will begin to be transformed by the presence of God. Jesus is not teaching here that there is no place for action. What he is teaching here has to do with priority.

Being with God enables us to effectively do the things we need to do in the world. This is more than simply going to God just so we can rush out into our busyness. Rather, by being with God and discovering our identity in Him and in His love we become freed from the bondage of having our identity wrapped up in what we can do. We are freed to love and to act and to serve because we now know that these things are not the determination of our self-worth, but that God’s love determines our self-worth. It is now out of this Love that we “do”.

This is a life long journey that we go through. We are constantly pulled back, which is why we need to spend much time at the feet of Jesus in solitude and silence, simply being wrapped in His arms and enveloped in His love. I know first hand the difficulty of this. I am a “people pleaser” and I often find myself connecting my worth with what I can produce, by my usefullness.  But, only when my actions come out of my identity with God will any of them be of any real value.

What about you? Do you identify with Mary or Martha? Do you often find yourself connecting your self-worth with your “doing”? How often to you simply sit with God?

Putting it into Practice:

In our prayer times we often come to God with a list of things we want him to do or help us to do. Try spending some time in prayer when you set aside that list and you simply be with God. Maybe read a Scripture (Psalms are good for this) that just describes God’s greatness and just echo it in your own words. Try to not say anything at all even. Simply sit silent before God and ask Him to wrap you in His loving presence. This can be hard at first, so try just sitting for 5 or 10 minutes (use a timer if it helps). When a thought comes into your mind, dismiss it just as fast. When you feel tempted to “do” something, rest in His presence. Don’t try to impress God, allow Him to impress you with His presence. As you begin, simply ask God to be with you and to help you discover your identity as his child.

If we will make this a regular part of the rhythm of life, we will begin to have a renewed strength in the world and will become free to love, serve, and do the work of God.

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Tags: prayer

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