SPIRITUAL SLEEPING
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Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)
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."
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The Lord [said], "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 10:41-42 (NRSV)
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IN April 2005 an earthquake shook my apartment while I was sleeping. I was afraid because I realized God was no longer my priority. If I have to die now, what if everything I have done is unworthy in God's eyes? I thought. That experience woke me up from a spiritual sleep. I have been reading the Bible and praying for as long as I can remember, but this had become merely routine. I felt no excitement or eagerness for building a close relationship with God. My study and hobbies had been taking all my attention. God used this earthquake to revive me.
I remembered the story of Martha and Mary. Busy preparing a meal for her guests, Martha had no time to listen to Jesus. But Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to him. I was like Martha. I imagined Jesus saying to me, "Elly, Elly, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part" (verses 41-42). Having an intimate relationship with God is more precious than anything. I had almost lost "the better part."
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your kindness and caring, for still loving us and seeking us when we stray from you. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
What am I doing to deepen my friendship with God?
-- Ellyana Njatawidjaja (Fukuoka, Japan)
PRAYER FOCUS: Those for whom prayer and Bible reading are merely routine