Upon returning from street outreach this morning, my wife and girls left town for a few days. Unlike them, I still have another week of school and thus, was unable to make the pilgrimage north. With a Saturday free (for once), thought after thought crushed my mind and vied for my attention. What would I do with all this newfound time?
Beach bum it?
Finish my novel?
Work in, on, and around the house?
Solo camp trip?
Invite friends over for a firepit?
Return back to the streets?
Visit the grocery store?
Light up the grill?
Exercise?
Watch, or wander in, the woods?
Then I remembered a couple of pervasive thoughts that have been simmering lately.
One was the song I shared a while back. A song that Whittington had shared with me years ago. Aptly titled Worship is more than a Song, it relates how we need to pull away to be with GOD. Even if that means withdrawing from friends and family for brief periods of time. To free and rid ourselves of the busyness and business of life. To listen to YAHWEH, who tends to whisper more than shout. To actually rest and heal and grow. To shine light on the idols of lust, pride, and ego.
And second was a story and thought from my small group. We read the Gospel narrative of Mary and Martha and Jesus’ visit to their home (Luke 10:38-42). As we digested, dissected, and discussed the drama, a phrase leapt from the page and landed upon my hard head like a vicious MMA blow. It related that Martha was hustling and bustling around the house to make Jesus feel right at home. Her sister Mary, however, was lounging and listening to Jesus. Or as The Message paraphrases it, hanging on every word he said.
These words and writings convicted and convinced me. Rather than filling all my unexpectedly free-time with a flurry of activity (some of which would be for, or about GOD), why not welcome some quiet time with Holy Spirit. Prioritize sitting still and silently and listening to my love. Resting at the feet and hanging on every word Jesus says…
Coming out of this only long enough to pen these thoughts and share them with you. Not so you will hang on every post of mine. But that you will see the reflection of Jesus’ words in mine. And together in like-minded unity of spirit, we will join Mary and sit before Savior…
and hang on every word.
Of the Word.