If you have been feeling pressured to make a certain decision…
If you have been feeling stretched and challenged…
If you have been feeling like God has been silent regarding your next steps…
…then this blog is for you.
One of the most attractive features contained in the story of Mary and Martha (see Luke 10:38-42) is Mary’s ability to remain undistracted by the all of the distractions around her.
The writer describes her as being seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
The symphony playing in the background of her life, however, features a sister who is frantically serving and annoyed by what appears to be Mary’s unwillingness to help.
On top of that, this worried and distracted sister beckons Jesus to tell Mary to help her and questions whether or not Jesus even cares about what she is doing.
Martha is caught up in a whirlwind of activity. Mary is caught up in adoration.
Martha is distracted. Mary is focused.
Martha is complaining. Mary is listening.
You can’t multitask worrying and hearing. The two cannot coexist together. They are at enmity with one another.
In fact, distraction robs us of the ability to hear from God. It removes us from a posture of being still to a posture of fret and worry.
If you’ve been feeling the need to make a decision about something or pressure to figure something out, I would caution you from doing so from a posture of being distracted by such things.
Pressure — whether self-imposed or external — will often cause you to react out of fear rather than be led by the Spirit. It’ll steal your gaze.
Pressure, in and of itself, is a distraction.
If you’re more preoccupied with concern and the need for an answer than you are with Jesus, you’ll more than likely make a decision based on fear and not peace.
Instead, wait on the Lord.
Please do not move forward until you know for sure that your soul is at rest and that even in the midst of distraction and chaos, you are able to keep your eyes on Jesus.
Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His word.
We cannot negate the importance of choice.
We can either choose to cave in to pressure and the need for an answer and direction, or we can choose to be transfixed with Him.
I truly believe that the more I sit with Him and not my need for an answer, the clearer His voice becomes.
It’s much easier to follow Him when I’m looking at Him and not looking for an answer.
So often, I believe we are afraid of making the wrong choice. This simply proves that our hearts are sincere and that we genuinely want to be obedient. It may also serve to point out that we are potentially afraid of incurring God’s disappointment if we make a mistake.
In any case, fear of choosing the wrong thing will paralyze you in the present and prevent you from hearing what it is that God is saying about your tomorrow.
Preoccupation with Jesus must be our goal and desire.
Let Him lead you.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart (Colossians 3:15).
If you don’t have peace, don’t make a decision.
If you’re not feeling led, it could be that Jesus is simply wanting you to sit and be with Him.
Moses refused to continue his journey and responsibility of leading the nation of Israel if God wasn’t with Him (Exodus 33:15). He didn’t want to be led to a place where the presence of God wouldn’t be found.
If God isn’t leading you to do it, don’t do it.
Wait.
I’ll end with this amazing exhortation from the wisest man that ever lived. He says it much better than I ever could:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6
- Brian Connolly, Faith Like Birds Ministries
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