God Evening Family,
I had an awesome conversation with Pastor Chris (a missionary in Indonesia) via Face Book. He has a reputation for being a man of prayer so I asked what his thoughts were concerning having a Mary Heart in a Martha schedule.
The following is the exact conversation. I changed nothing. I hope somehow this blesses you as it blessed me and my husband.
Chris Chapman Sory it has taken so long for me to respond to ur ? About how to "keep the mary fire burning". It is a question that i ask myself often.
The thing i notice in my life is that i am tempted to feel guilty in the midst busyness, assuming i shud be "at jesus feet", which usually is interpreted as being alone wth god in my ..."devotional" time. But i think guilt hinders intimacy wth god. So during the day fellowship is hindered thru guilt, then when my time "at his feet does come, i spend alot of time trying to get past that burden of guilt. This is a lousy cycle!!!
But i think we wud be wise to note that being at jesus feet and serving his disciples food (including our own children) are both godly activities that god wants us to do. Martha wasnt rebuke cause of her activity, but because she was doing that activity at the wrong time! At another point god might rebuke us for praying when we shud act! I think of moses at the red sea when he told him to get up and stop crying out to him. Eccl chapter 3 says there is a time for everything. I think our busyness wont interfere with our fellowship and intimacy wth god if we do things wholheartedly and at the right time! We need to shake of the monastic idea that "sitting at his feet" is the only appropriate place for us at all time. Basically we need to renew our minds to see that "whatever we are doing in word, deed", or prayer is pleasing to god. I think that casts of the burden of guilt that drowns out our faith in his love and acceptance.
- as i said, im looking for the answer myself, so i dont know if this helps or even makes sense, but it is my widows mite.
Gbu
Chris
Lauren Johnston No it is just right. It reminds me of the book The Practice of the Presence of God...Bro Lawrence apparently spent 40 years learning how to make EVERY act a devotion to God. Whether it be doing dishes, running errands, serving the poor, or prayer He learned the art of making His whole life worship pleasing unto God. My impatient self just doesn't want to spend "40 years" learning... I want to do it now and so I seek the short cut. I guess if it's going to take time to learn I better get on the journey today. (She said ruefully but with resignation)Thanks so much Pastor Chris for your time and greetings to Sis Esther and your beautiful kids!
Gbu sis,
Chris
Ps esther says hi!
Lauren Johnston HAH! Perfect! When I read the book as a child I couldn't stand the Ents. Even as I read I was aggravated by their slowness. In highschool I preferred Karate and track over ballet. I can't stand golf and I can only tolerate pilates for about 20 minutes.
I love percussion...speed...loud thunder storms.
I love the hurricane, the earthquake, and the fiery volcano...but it takes self control to practice the discipline of quietness in order to hear His still small voice.
God is speaking to me P Chris. And not just me but my husband is in on this one as well...he passed it on to our landlord who woke up thinking of his need for a closer walk with God.
I would like to use this conversation in my blog if you don't mind. Just as it is. I often copy my bogs to facebook so you may be familiar with the subject matter.
http://laurenskeepinitreal
Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!
Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,
And the LORD listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the LORD
And who meditate on His name. Malachi 3:16
Stay in Prayer and in the Word!
Love in our Lord,
Lauren