Don't forget Mary & Martha especially at Christmas time!

     We have 11 days until Christmas.  Are you ready?  Is everything checked off your to-do list?  As the birth of Christ draws near, I find myself rushing here and rushing there.  At times, I can't even remember what I was last doing.  Thankfully, I get up and spend a few minutes in quiet before everyone else in my family.
      It is then, that my thoughts turn to Mary and Martha from the bible.   I'm not sure if your familiar with them; but they were pretty close with Jesus.  One afternoon, He came to spend some time at their home.  Based on the text, it doesn't seem like either Mary or Martha knew he was coming.  Mary seemed pretty laid back about it all.   Martha, on the other hand, is someone I can relate to.  She was rushing here and rushing there to get the meal ready. She had finally had enough and said to Jesus, "won't you tell her to help me out, already!?!  (I'm paraphrasing here.)  
        Recently, I came across a commentary by Joyce Meyer regarding this scenario.  It was her observation that Jesus' words, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary," show us that Martha was too busy for intimacy and was choosing work instead.  Ugh, that hit me right where it hurts.  I now have to continually stop and ask myself, "am I choosing too much work over the important relationship(s) in my life?"  I mean, I know there is work to be done; but won't there always be something else to-do on the list?   This Christmas season with only 11 days to go, I'm going to take some time be more like Mary, in a very Martha oriented world.   

Philippians 2: the scripture that is setting my course

 I became a Christian eight years ago- that is; I willingly entered into a relationship with Christ where I consider Him to be one and the same as God.  I also made the commitment to speak with him daily through prayer.  Before that I believed in God; but didn't know if he cared very much what happened in my day to day life.  I thought He was very angry with me for continuously coming up short.  What joy, to discover that He not only cares what happens to me, but wants to communicate with me on a daily basis!  Recently, I came across the scriptures in Philippians 2 which state, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." 
     Wow, those verses turn what many believe we should do upside down and yet I have personally adopted it as the short version of what I am attempting to let the Holy Spirit accomplish through me.  It is not easy.  I'll be one of the first to admit that; but oh so worth it!  There has been no other experience on earth thus far, that has brought me the joy that being in a relationship with Jesus has brought.  No friends, no amount of money, no popularity, or substance that can compare.   So, I journey on as Philippians 2 now sets my course.  I hope that each day, you'll be able to see me as more humble and loving than the day before.  Each day, I hope that you'll see less of me and more of Christ...
       

I've Started a Blog!

Hi, I've started a blog called, "It's All Me!"  The only thing is, I'll probably be writing about a few more things than just me.  I'd like to write about my Christianity and the awesome journey I've been on because of it.  In that way, the thoughts will be all mine.  So, fasten your seat belts and get ready for the ride!