I read a “25 Things…” post by my sister Kelli, and something she said stuck with me, “I don't like to be busy and don't understand people that do.” Well, I’m one of those people who likes to stay busy. I’m not totally sure why. It doesn’t really make sense to me that I have no problem handling 25 things at once, but if you dwindle that down to 1 thing, I don’t know what to do with myself. I started thinking about why I am that way, and at one point, I was reminded (I think by God) of the story of Martha and Mary. As a worshiper (and someone who lives for it!) I know this story like the back of my hand. I’ve “preached” it many times, even from the platform.
Luke 10:38-40 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman name Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’
As I thought about that story, I heard God say, “You’re a Martha.” What?! Me?! Wow! That hurt! “But, God,” I pleaded, “I love to worship You! My whole life is about worshiping You!” God reminded me of a few of the lines from some of the songs I’ve written: I will lift up…, We will go…, I will follow… Sadly, I realized right away that my worship tends to be more about me and what I will do for God.
I think that this “busy-syndrome” that I suffer from bothers my husband. I picked up a hobby a few years ago: Knitting. I loved the idea because I have a hard time sitting still when I see SO many things that still need to be done. Knitting allows me to sit still while still being productive. It keeps my mind from the millions of other things that tempt me to get up from my comfortable couch. So, I’m able to sit and watch a show with my husband without interrupting it with various chores. My husband hates this, and I’ve never been able to figure out why, until the epiphany that was brought on by my sister’s innocent Facebook post. Now, I think I understand. I not only distract myself from my chores, but also from him. I’ve never seen myself as a “distracted” person until now. Jesus told Martha in Luke 10:41 ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and trouble about many things, but one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’ Although I know that Martha was trying to honor Jesus with her service and instead was distracted from Jesus, I never put myself into that category. I wonder how many times I “knit” in my relationship with God. How can I become a Mary?
Kelli is like Mary. She can sit and give you complete attention regardless of things that need to be done. In the past, I have seen this as a kind of fault. I thought that she shouldn’t let people distract her from her “duties”. Now I realize that this is a gift that Kelli has! It’s the opposite of what I thought: She doesn’t let her “duties” distract her from the people! If Kelli loves you, you know it. You can’t escape from it and she shows it well. She lavishes her attention on you: She is extravagant with her love and spends it generously and excessively! She is able to sit still with you amidst the storm of distraction. And I know that it is the same in her walk with the Lord. A few excerpts from some of her songs: Love is flowing like a spring from deep inside of this chest. I love the way You love me. I’m so desperate for Your love. Although we love the same God, and although we both have a heart after God, our relationships are obviously very different.
In my marriage to Andy, I have let my “duties” for him distract me from him far too many times, and I think that the same is true in my walk with the Lord. Too many times I have spent my time with God telling Him all the great things I will do for Him instead of sitting with Him, spending time with Him, lavishing my attention on HIM. Don’t get me wrong. I believe that service for/to God is extremely important and necessary. But, I understand now that it should flow out of a “Mary” relationship with Him. (Why, oh why, did it take me so long to realize this simple and obvious truth??) To become a Mary, my worship in His presence should be less “I will…” and more “You are…” I’m sure that my dad is saying, “How many times have I told you that?!” I guess I had to “catch” this one, Dad. So, the next time you meet with God, be sure to put away your “knitting needles”, drop the “I wills”, and LAVISH your attention on God!
When I am “on stage” as the entertainment, I get nervous: What if I screw up? What if my voice cracks? What if I look funny? What if I forget the words? The “what if’s” go on and on. When I lead worship I know that none of my mistakes affect the Holy Spirit. God is so much greater than my ability to hit the right notes and sing the right words. And, worship is all for Him, anyway, and has nothing to do with me! (That sure makes it easy to tell when I’m getting in the way: I get nervous!) What would happen if everything in my life were totally consecrated to Him as my worship is? Certainly it wouldn’t make everything easy as pie, or without difficulty, but I really do think it would take out the fear of failure that I carry with me “on stage” in various areas of my life. I think consecrating our lives to God starts in our private walk with Him.
In the Old Testament, God called the Levites to be priests for the people. They were to be the go-between for God and the people, and as such, had to consecrate their lives to God and His service. The entire book of Leviticus outlines the way a person is to become consecrated, and if you take a look through any part of the book, I’m positive you will feel just as overwhelmed as I at the sheer magnitude of the task of making oneself holy and consecrated. But, as you know, we are all called as priests. (1 Peter 2:9) So how can we consecrate our lives?
Thankfully, we live post-Jesus! In Leviticus 8, God instructs Moses to consecrate and anoint Aaron and his sons to become priests for the Israelites. Verse 12 says, “And he (Moses) poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.” So, we can assume that anointing is part of that consecration. I believe that begins for us, as believers, when we accept Christ as our Savior. His blood covers us, as anointing oil covered Aaron. Step 1 complete!
All the other requirements of a priest we fulfill ONLY through Christ. He is the ONLY one who fulfilled the law down to the letter, and through salvation we put on Christ and become free from the law. Not only did Christ make us holy (phew!), but I believe He gave us an outline on how we can walk as consecrated individuals. In Matthew 6:5-13 Jesus speaks about prayer. What does that have to do with consecrated living? Take a look at the passage:
‘And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’
So, if there are areas of your life that give those butterflies flight and set your knees to shaking, surrender that area to God’s glory and purpose and walk fearless!
Hallelujah-Phil Wickham (Cannons)
Part One-Wavorly (Conquering the Fear of Flight)
Death and All His Friends-Coldplay (Viva La Vida)
Sun Stands Still-Bleach (Bleach)
Die Tonight Live Forever-Interpartysystem (Interpartysystem)
God of All-Staci Pace (N/A)
Hymn-Jars of Clay (Much Afraid)
In Your Freedom-Hillsong (Saviour King)
Building the Nations-Oh,Sleeper (When I am God)
Decode-Paramore (Twilight OST)
Late Night Dance Party-Ever We Fall (We Are But Human)
40's Theme-Umphrey's Mcgee (Live At The Murat)
Split Screen Sadness-John Mayer (Heavier Things)
Revelate-The Frames (Set List)
You Found Me-The Fray (The Fray)
Hosanna-Hillsong United (All Of The Above)
Drago or The Dragons-Falling Up (Captiva)
Break Her Fall-Mat Kearney (Nothing Left To Lose)
Sing My Love-Jesus Culture (Your Love Never Fails)
I Have Found-Kim Walker (Here Is My Song)
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