Choose Peace over Hectic

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "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."

As Christmas approaches, many of us run in circles, trying to decorate, plan dinners, buy presents, attend gatherings, and then merely function in the day-to-day hectic that already exists. We may also be busy at work or school or caring for small children, and the preoccupation brought on by the frenetic pace of Christmas makes us wonder if we'll get it all accomplished in time.

My mind is in a whirl as I endeavor to get my school assignments completed, take care of my children and get food on the table. I feel as if I'm in the circus juggling colorful balls that threaten at any time to tumble to the floor. When I finally pause and contemplate what Advent means, I realize how our hurried culture interferes with a true preparation for the birth of the Savior.  In my attempt to conform to the "patterns of this world," I don't allow the Holy Spirit to transform me "by the renewing" of my mind. Paul reminds us:

          Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
          Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect
          will. (Romans 2:12)

The story of Mary and Martha provides us a good example of the value of time spent with Jesus amidst the hectic of the holiday season. Jesus stops to visit with Mary and Martha. Notice that it is Martha who invites Jesus, not Mary. Yet, rather than spend time with her guest, Martha frantically rushes around to prepare the dinner party. Mary, on the other hand, is aware of the significance of her Lord's presence and sits at His feet listening to His wisdom. Piqued by her sister's lack of helpfulness, Martha approaches Jesus asking, "'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, '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.'"

When reading this story, I can better empathize with Martha than with Mary. I rush around doing what I think must get accomplished, and I miss out on the significance of Christmas. I need to purposely stop running in circles and be like Mary who chooses to slow down and listen to her Savior. In Isaiah 55:6, we read, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near." Will you choose, like Mary, to seek the Lord this Christmas, or be anxiously consumed with planning, decorating, cooking and buying?

Prayer: Dear Lord, You remind us to "not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present our requests to [You] (Philippians 4:6). And so, we ask You to be with us as we prepare to celebrate Your birth. Help us to slow down and spend time with You. Remind us that peace ensues when we abide in You ("And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)). In Jesus' Name. Amen

God's handiwork

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God  - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2: 1-10)

When looking up sites on Google, frequently, on the side of the screen,  frustrating flashing commercials are displayed that distract my attention from what I'm trying to read. I often see one commercial that displays a picture of an older woman with leathery, wrinkled skin. Next to the woman with skin damage is a picture of the same woman with a smooth, flawless complexion. The advertisement is likely promoting a beauty cream that, if I were to purchase it, would supposedly transform my skin in the same manner. First, I'm irritated, as this shows that either my age is used against me by advertisers, or some product I've purchased through the web is being leaked to advertisers. What an invasion of privacy! On the other hand, I'm irritated, because I'd like to look like the woman with the perfect skin. I waste my time wondering whether it really is possible to so transform one's face.

In reading Ephesians 2: 1-10, I see a more valuable lesson on transformation. Without Christ in our lives, we are swayed by the concerns that the world places on us. We "gratify the cravings of our flesh and follow its desires and thoughts." There is nothing wrong with wanting to look my best, and I do try out all sorts of anti-aging creams - not that they actually work! Yet, here we read about the transformation that occurs when we confess our sinfulness to God, open our hearts to Him and allow His grace to cleanse and renew us.

So often, Ephesians 2: 8-9 is emphasized to remind us that we should not take credit for any good deeds that we do. Our salvation, our forgiveness and our talents are bestowed on us by our Savior who bore the cross to give us freedom from imprisonment to sin. Recently, I took a longer look at verse 10: For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. We are God's handiwork - He created us to live a life of fulfillment in Him. The works we do, God knew about before we even do them. He prepared these works for us to do! What an amazing thought! Christ-in-us transforms us into one of those advertisements of perfection. It is His doing, and He wants us to bear the fruit of the Spirit, because this is the way our Creator designed us - knowing that we would do good, not because we are good, but because of who we become in Him.  He sees us as righteous, and He can work in us to do good deeds. In Philippians 2:13, Paul writes: For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
God can and does transform us when we open our lives to His good works in us.

Dear God,
How exciting it is to know that You prepared me in advance to do good works for Your kingdom.  You can work in me to fulfill Your good purpose. I want to glorify You and give You praise and honor for what You have done to transform me. Thank You that I am perfect in Your sight.
In Jesus' Name. Amen