Good Enough: God Sees, Values, Cares, Feels, and Accepts You! A 5-Day Devotional Plan by Dr. Peggie Etheredge Johnson Sample

God Wants to Spend Time With You

The Master Teacher is always available for you.

Have you ever felt that others should be as passionate about what you are doing as you are? Let’s think for a moment, what would the world look like if everyone had the same passions, skills, and gifts? You are correct! Diversity would be missing, leading to the absence of new learning experiences and so much more.

Paul reminds me that everything we do should glorify God because some things are “not expedient and do not edify” (1 Corinthians 10:23). God wants to spend valuable time with the genuine authentic you, not the person you want to be. Regardless of your past experiences, we all have failed at some time. I believe Paul is also saying we can do many good things for God, but with God, we can relinquish the pressure of measuring up or seeking to be perfect.

I have fallen victim to listening to others before listening and learning from God. Trust me, the consequences led to a spiritual deficiency. However, I regained spiritual health by choosing to listen to hear, to obey God’s words in the midst of criticism (public or private). You can too!

Mary of Bethany was quiet, passionate, and focused. On one occasion, her priority was to sit at Jesus’ feet, intentionally listening to His words (Luke 10:39). I like to think that she was hungry and thirsty not for physical food but for “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:1-4). She was unaffected and unbothered by breaching the cultural norms and expectations of her day.

Mary’s peaceful encounter with Jesus was interrupted by her sister Martha, whose irritation overshadowed the current need to hear Jesus. Martha was as passionate and genuine about serving Jesus and others as Mary was about sitting with Jesus. However, on this occasion, she may have been distracted by the task of serving alone. Luke 40 informs us that Martha felt Mary’s decision was incorrect, and the right thing to do was to tell Jesus. Are you guilty of not making Jesus’ words a priority? Do you feel unworthy to sit at His feet?

Jesus’ lovingly and gently corrected Martha’s traditional serving mindset. He acknowledged her honorable contribution but concluded that Mary’s choice to be in His presence and spend time with Him was life-sustaining. Both decisions were valid, valuable, and needful, but one was more honorable than the other. God prioritizes spending time with Him over serving Him!

The privilege of sitting at Jesus’ feet is often an overlooked opportunity to spend time with God rather than doing things for Him. Yes, YOU are good enough to sit with God! Your presence is valued!

Reflection: In what ways are you sitting with the Master Teacher? Write down whatever comes to mind.

Prayer: Lord, give us the wisdom to sit at Your feet before seeking to serve, in Jesus’ name!