Finding Stillness in a Busy WorldSample

Weary and Worn

Imagine how tired and weary Jesus and the disciples were when they arrived at the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Previously, Jesus commissioned His disciples as He sent them in pairs to all the surrounding towns to preach the Messiah’s message. Then He went head to head with a group of religious teachers. He was tested continuously about the laws of Moses. Then, He told the parable about the Good Samaritan in hopes those listening would understand who was their neighbor. What a busy day!

His schedule was full but yet He treated everyone with kindness and patience. He didn’t carry a watch or have a personal assistant. Even though Jesus had a busy schedule, He made time to be with people. He was present where His feet took Him. Had I been with Jesus that day I would have been exhausted by the time He arrived at Mary and Martha’s home. So how does Jesus do it?

Some of us are like Mary and some are like Martha. There are real, legitimate needs everywhere we look. We have real jobs and need incomes. We need healthy choices for entertainment and relaxation. However, in our busy and overbearing world, with all we have at our fingertips, it’s a recipe for weariness. Where do we find the time to sit at His feet or find the energy to serve Him?

The answer comes in knowing Jesus and obeying His voice. We must be like Mary who knows when it’s important to sit and listen to Jesus. And we must be like Martha who is willing to serve. In this tension we learn that there is a time for work, and there is a time for worship. Both take a wholehearted dedication and a willingness to obey. Thankfully, He loves us too much to leave us in places of stress and weariness. The kind of faith and trust for true obedience comes from spending time with Jesus and knowing that He is where the joy is.

We can get caught in the same performance trap, feeling as though we must prove our love for God by doing great things for Him. We can easily rush past the invitation to get busy doing for Jesus when we really need to sit and be with Jesus. While the world applauds achievement, God desires companionship. Let’s discover how to overcome our busyness.