Johannes Vermeer
Isaiah 55:6
[6] “Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
Hey everyone, I wanted to share something small while I finish working on a couple bigger projects. I wanted to say thank you to all of you who have been following along and giving feedback, it has truly meant a lot and has helped me grow. Enjoy this shorter post and keep an eye out for some big things coming soon.
I have been thinking about the passage in scripture where Jesus is with Mary and Martha, and Martha is busying herself with tasks around the house, while Mary is sitting at Jesus‘s feet.
Luke 10:38-42
[38] Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. [40] But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” [41] But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, [42] but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
It is snowing outside today and I find myself just wanting to stop what I’m doing and stare at it, because I know it’s only going to snow for a few hours and then it will stop. We haven’t had snow here in a couple years, and I’ve been waiting and hoping for it to come. If I had it my way, I would make some coffee, pull up a chair and just sit there and watch it come down for every minute that it would let me. Having a busy, full life with a four year old and a 10 month old makes it a little challenging to really stop and enjoy the show.
Time with Jesus is precious and rare. There is a special nearness of God that comes, and it is a gift given in His timing and sovereignty. There is a peace and a fullness that comes from knowing that God is really close. There is absolutely nothing like it. It is not, and cannot, be earned through good works. The timing and effects, are not within our control and do not depend on us, how much effort we put in, how tightly we grasp, or how hard we pray.
That feeling I get as I watch the snow come down, is the same feeling I get when God is near. Wanting desperately to savor every precious moment it is falling because I know soon it could stop. The beautiful snow will still be there after, but that special fullness as it’s coming down will soon be over. I think that’s part of what Jesus was trying to tell Martha. And I think it’s what he’s trying to tell all of us. We are so busy, anxious about many things, but missing the fullness that comes when He is near and His presence is showering down on us. We are distracted by secondary and smaller things. We choose the many things over the One thing. We are missing out on The Good Portion.
We must cultivate space in our life for the nearness of God. We forget that he says we must knock, ask, seek. Like I discussed in my last post, I’m trying to focus on cultivating an active repentance this year. The Spirit of God is always with us and will never leave us, but when we really stop and pay attention, when we position ourselves at His feet, we just might experience a special nearness. If that happens, stop what you’re doing, make a pot of coffee, pull up a chair, and let it come down.
Thank you so much for reading. If you read this and have a thought, please leave a comment here or email me (below). My primary motivation for writing is to create more good conversation around cultural, theological and political issues. I would love to hear your thoughts.
jeffreycharlescaldwell@gmail.com
Good word, Jeff.
Thank you so much,
Joel Howard
I’m in awe of God’s work in you…you are such a blessing!