Sitting at Jesus' feet

     I was reading in my devotions this morning from Luke 10:38-42 about Mary and Martha.  It's the account where Martha is working feverishly in the kitchen and Mary is hanging out with Jesus in the Living room.  The author of the devotional book is Ken Gire, and he wrote a prayer at the end of his musings that I found really valuable.  Since I have previously said that this year I am doing more a refinement of my focus than a specific set of "resolutions" and since I said that had to do with developing a greater intimacy with Jesus, this prayer is beneficial to me.
     Have you ever felt like taking the time to spend with Jesus (including the prayer time) is what you do BEFORE the real work begins?  It seems like Jesus felt differently than that when he told Martha that Mary had chosen the "one thing that is necessary" (sitting at the feet of Jesus). 
     So, I thought I'd reproduce Ken's prayer for you.  See if it resonates for you like it did for me.

     "When you knock on the door to my heart, what is it that you are looking for?  What is it that you want?  Is it not to come in to dine with me?  Is it not for fellowship?
     And yet, so often, where do you find me?  At your feet?  No.  In the kitchen.  How many times have I become distracted and left you there...sitting...waiting...longing?
     What is so important about my kitchenful of preparations that draws me away from you?  How can they seem so trivial now and yet so urgent when I'm caught up in them?
     Forgive me for being so much distracted by my preparations and so little attracted by your presence.  For being so diligent in my duties and so negligent in my devotion.  For being so quick to my feet and so slow to yours.
     Help me to understand that it is an intimate moment you seek from me, not an elaborate meal.
     Guard my heart this day from the many distractions that vie for my attention.  And help me to fix my eyes on you.  Not on my rank in the kingdom as did the disciples.  Not on the sins of others, as did the Pharisees.  Not on a place of worship as did the woman at the well.  Not on the budget, as did Judas.  But on you.
     Bring me out of the kitchen, Lord.  Bid me come to your feet.  And there may I thrill to sit and adore you..."

     So there you have it.  Let's spend more time sitting as the feet of the one we claim to love.  Let's build our relationship with him and let that be the thing that compels us away from his feet to serve.  Let's not leave until we have drunk deeply from the well of his grace and kindness and love.

Comments

  1. Dona HaggertyJanuary 3, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    Pastor Dave,
    This is what I am purposing to do this new year. Sit quietly at Jesus' feet and not so much do the talking....but do the listening. Just to be with HIM. He already knows what I need, how I hurt, etc. I just want to read HIS word and listen to what HE wants to tell me. This is changing me...from the inside out. And this is definitely what I need. Thank you for your message here. I am praying for you and Jodi.
    love from Dona (and Bob)
    P.S. For a long time this passage of scripture was annoying and puzzling to me. Because for so many years I was a "martha". Thank you, Jesus, that you showed me how to be a "mary".

    ReplyDelete
  2. David WilsonJanuary 4, 2012 at 12:27 PM

    Thanks Dona. It is really hard to adjust our thinking to a "still is good" mentality. I appreciate you and Bob and your partnership in the gospel.

    ReplyDelete

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