Do You Have A Moment To
Stop and Listen?
Good Morning Friends,
By looking at the story of Jesus in the home of Mary and Martha we find what is really needed during the upcoming holiday season. Take a moment to reflect on what is essential. Take a moment to seek a balance between work and worship. Take a moment to understand we have been blessed to be a blessing. Do You Have A Moment To
Stop and Listen?
Scripture: Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)
For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. They acted shamefully, they committed abomination; yet they were not ashamed, they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord. Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.” Also I raised up sentinels for you: “Give heed to the sound of the trumpet!” But they said, “We will not give heed.” Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what will happen to them. Hear, O earth; I am going to bring disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not given heed to my words; and as for my teaching, they have rejected it.
Jeremiah 6:13-19 (NRSV)
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.
James 1:19-20 (NRSV)
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
Ecclesiastes 3:7 (NIV)
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
Psalm 34:15 (KJV)
Message: Today’s message is about a question of priorities and the order of things…We ask if we are motivated and focused by duty or devotion. We ask how we react when we have a loss of focus. Today’s scripture explores these very questions but it is also about having spiritual ears to actually hear in a relational way. We see how Martha resorts to self-pity when she becomes out of balance. We see how she becomes angry with others and finds fault and even begins to question God’s care. Out of balance her attitude made her busy but not blessed for a time. But make no mistake in understanding the story, both Mary and Martha learn from the experience and we should too. Here we need to recognize the difference between respect and submission. Here we learn that Mary and Martha have very different shoe sizes and forcing one to walk in the others shoes for more than a moment is very uncomfortable. And so here perhaps the first lesson is to learn that we need to stop and become quite before we can listen for the call of God. And the second might be that when we listen to the Holy Spirit we are to become the message. And the third might just be that we are to listen with our heart, head, hands and holiness in the fullness of what God would have us to do. Friends, here is the message… We are to pause and reflect. We are to stop and listen to the questions of our heart, mind and body. We are to weigh the meaning of what we are experiencing and connect it to scripture, community and mission…and yes freedom and liberty. We are to listen for the message God would have us hear out of what is unknown. And yes there is a conflict in us between holding our tongue and using it effectively…significantly. And yes the challenge is communication, for we need practice to do this right and so many do it wrong. So if you have spiritual ears, listen to the voice of the Lord and not be stubborn. Learn that the word listen in the Bible is sometimes a plea and sometimes an offer and at other times a command. Learn that God can still reach those who seek freedom from religion in safe zones and in a fantasy world this season. Learn that more people need to realize that freedom from religion and of religion can both be found in Christ. So the message this morning is that Jesus came to free us and the paradox of the season is that Jesus comes as a child and he does not have to say a word and still people are moved. Hear with your heart this season. See the world through the eyes of love. Walk in shoes that fit but choose a path that speaks to your soul. Listen for the sound of truth beyond the surface things. Listen and know God is listening too.
Pray we have faith to stop, look, and listen for God’s promises. Pray we realize that life is about listening to God and putting God’s plan into action. Pray we stop, look and listen for the landmarks of our faith. Pray we listen in the Holy Spirit to the guidance of God. Pray we learn how to listen to God through His Word and through the Holy Spirit. Pray we learn to listen to others reflecting the Christ in them.
Pray we realize that God is always listening to us. Pray that we learn how to communicate with God and with others. Pray that we stop and listen to the gentle words of the Savior and achieve a focused understanding of the priority and order of our actions. Pray we grow in the tension and balance between duty and devotion…faith and reason… enlightened by the words and Spirit of Christ. Pray that we serve the Lord out of love not habit or external compulsion. Pray that we not lose focus on what is really needed. Pray that we remember why we are doing what we are doing and why. Pray we realize that it is not right or safe to ignore our conscience but that there might be a better way than what is in our mind at the moment if we would be listen. Pray we have the vision, discipline and faith to listen to the nudges of the Holy Spirit. Pray that we realize that healing begins when people listen needing not to speak a single word.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 