Pathway to PeaceSample

Half of these people are stressed:

Understand God's Take

Stop. Breath. Pray. God has it

Sometimes it feels more natural to blow through an entire day at an unhealthy pace than to simply stop for a few seconds and breathe.  We run from task to task.  The idea of stopping is stressful because it awakens fear we won’t complete the work necessary to satisfy our needs or desires.  It’s counter-intuitive to embrace “less is more” – that we are tending to our workload by slowing down.  But neglecting our need to find rest and re-center amidst of our hectic days leaves us drained, off track, and ill-equipped to be productive or achieve the peace we long for. 

Overdrive has spanned the ages.  In Luke 10:38-42, Martha was extremely busy preparing for Jesus and His entourage in her home.  She expressed her displeasure to Jesus that her sister, Mary, appeared to be  sitting idly at His feet while work needed to be done.  Jesus replied in Luke 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

Jesus gently addressed several matters.  He identified Martha as “worried” and “upset over many things”.  He did not say “Your stress is productive Martha, thank you for your hard work.”  He stated, “Few things are needed – or indeed only one”.  

Jesus referenced Mary listening to His teaching at His feet, her heart and mind firmly upon Him, and further that perhaps what Martha was doing was not as high a priority.  Jesus didn’t stop there and further lauded Mary’s better choice, drawing a contrast between the two sisters.  Jesus asserted we need to prioritize Him above everything, including very important, time-sensitive tasks.

Jesus had something big in mind for Martha, as he does for us.  A peace that passes understanding and a spiritually rich life, all rooted in knowing and serving Him first.

Our perceived needs should be measured against God’s view of our needs.  We’ll work through God’s priorities in our lives later, but how does this story impact how you feel about some of the things you have placed high on your to-do list, or that cause you worry?  Do you have “many things” on your heart and mind that come before God?