American Christian evangelist Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Billy Graham) recently posted an urgent call to prayer for our country. In her blog she wrote:
“As you may know, my husband is in declining health. I am no longer traveling and speaking as much as I have for the last 26 years since I am staying home to care for him. As a result, I have had time to be quiet and listen more to the whispers of the Spirit. He has revealed things to me in the stillness that I’m not sure I would have heard in my former busyness.”
Her words struck me—as she’s had more time to be quiet, she finds the Holy Spirit revealing things to her. Have you experienced similarly?
For many people, quietness remains a rare commodity. We live in the frenzy of busyness. And the busier we get with all our “stuff”—work, kids, meetings, meals, exercise, chores, even ministry service—it seems the less time we spend with the One who helps us most.
The sad irony is that if we only keep our priorities straight, we will do less, but accomplish far more.
Jesus reminds us of this in His advice to Martha in Luke 10:38-42:
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
The women no doubt wanted to serve Jesus a nice dinner during His visit. Sure there was work to be done. But Jesus reminded them of a greater priority—the benefit of sitting at the Lord’s feet—of spending time with Him.
The time we take to sit in the Lord’s presence, to open our hearts to Him, pays its greatest dividend in the peace we carry with us throughout the day—the peace necessary to hear His voice.
In our drive to be productive, let’s remember the thing most worth being concerned about: spending time with the Lord … resting in, and enjoying His presence throughout our busy days.
Copyright © 2014 Cheryl Elton
I like this one too. I am trying to get back to prayer.
Thanks Liza. God bless you!
Good article Cheryl! Makes me think about that duet that Amy Grant sings with
James Taylor – Don’t Try so Hard. The Grace of God, which we can’t earn ~ helps us out in so many ways!
Nice! Thanks, Tony.
Love this post! Just what I needed today. 🙂 Yup, God knows.
It is one of the great ironies of human nature, isn’t it? The busier we get, the more often God gets pushed to the sidelines. Living in His presence is a reminder we all need, every day! Blessings to you, Lisa.