Competitions

In this fast paced society in which we live it can become easy to fall into that momentum that propels you into a direction of 'being cumbered about with much serving' as Martha was in Luke 10:40. Martha certainly had a servant's heart, but she became so enamored with the work that she forgot the reason why she was serving. I think that many of us tend to become busier than God intended us to be.

I feel that part of the reason we get so caught up in that cycle is that there is so much competition in our world. However, we should be cautious to NOT allow that to occur within our hearts. I have not found that kind of competition to be a part of God's design for the young woman in His Word. When Martha came to Jesus to petition Him to make Mary help her in the kitchen, He responded with a clear voice that 'Mary hath chosen the good part, and it would not be taken away from her'.

Let's take a look at Martha for a moment. I wonder what her motive was. We can only imagine and assume since scripture is not clear on what her intent was in coming to Jesus. As a wife and mother I think I can get an idea of what she was wanting. I imagine Martha feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. I wonder if Martha had time in prayer before she began preparing the meal. There are times when we have many people over to our home, and in my small kitchen it can be easy to get overwhelmed in cooking for so many people. I have also been stressed out and come out of the kitchen looking for someone to help me.

As a hostess in a Christian home, we serve meals to guests in an attempt to be hospitable and encourage new friends in their walk with Christ. Just a couple of months ago we had a group of ladies over to our home and I was able to lead one of them women to the Lord in my very own kitchen. I can confidently let you know that had I been 'cumbered about with much work', I may not have been able to be a sweet hostess, and I may have turned away this lady's desire to want to know Christ. We never not influence.

I believe that our Lord was trying to convey to Martha that we are here to serve as an avenue of ministering to others for Christ and not to be known as the 'hostess with the mostess'. Our goal is not to strive for the applaud of others, but rather work together in unity for the cause of Christ. Let's be careful not to be so consumed with the competition this world tries to plague us with. Let's take our eyes off of everyone else's accomplishments and look to what Jesus accomplished and aim for His goals in our lives.

Luke 10:41-42, "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

How can you be a better servant to your family?
What can you do to serve your Savior?
Have you spent intimate time alone with the Lord today?

Picture Perfect

Just the other day we were able to go on a trip to another city and see the historical town of Coloma-Lotus Valley. It was beautiful! The day seemed to be 'Picture Perfect'! I was reminded about the photo contest we're having here at GGM, while I saw many beautiful scenes along the countryside.We toured through this old gold mining town and learned a lot about our local heritage. The weather was 'Picture Perfect', I just can't describe to you how perfect it was! The sun was warm but not too hot; the breeze was cool, but not too cold. It was the kind of weather I would think might be in heaven. Days like this don't come along very often, yet when it does I soak it all in!

The one thing I can tell you, without a doubt, is that while it seemed 'Picture Perfect', I still got a bug bite on my arm. Did it ruin my day? Oh no, absolutely not! One imperfection wasn't going to ruin my beautiful day.

How many times do we have an imperfection in our day and we think the whole day is ruined? God doesn't expect our days to be perfect, as He already knows none of us are perfect, yet He still loves us.

Romans 3:10, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"(KJV)

God doesn't expect us to be perfect, yet we can sometimes expect that our day will be perfect and when we see an imperfection we struggle with graciously letting that imperfection go. We focus right in on that imperfection and blow it up so big that it tends to blur our vision.

Let's try to be thankful for the beauty that God does give us each and every day and not worry so much about the little bug bites along the way.