“Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
Luke 10:41-42
Pastor Derek had shared story from his childhood about how getting a gift he really wanted had caused him to set aside another gift because of the way it looked. That “other” gifted turned out to be a way better gift. His story reminded me of another story I had heard – a story about a little girls and a pearl necklace.
You see this little girl wanted a dime store pearl necklace – she was willing to do chores for it, and a birthday gift allowed her to buy it. It was her most prized possession. This little girl had a daddy who really loved her and each night would tuck her in at bedtime. One night he asked her “do you love me?” The little girl answered yes of course and her daddy asked for the pearl necklace. She wouldn’t give up her prized pearl necklace. He asked several times to have the necklace and each time the little girl refused. One night though, he found her sitting on the bed with tears in her eyes. She handed over the necklace and as her daddy took the little necklace he replaced it with another made with REAL pearls.
Sometimes like the young Derek or the little girl we get in the way of what the Lord is wanting to do for us or give to us. This week’s passage is another example of how we can get in the way. Martha and Mary both knew who Jesus was and they were excited to have him in their home. Mary had already decided that nothing was going to get in the way of spending time with Him. Martha however had decided dinner was more important – she was in the way of the blessing that was waiting for her. We know from the passage, that Mary’s decision to get out of the way was the better one, but I always wonder after reading this if Martha managed get out of the way and join Mary at the feet of Jesus.
So what are you holding onto that is making you get in your own way when it comes to what Jesus wants to do in your life? Has He tapped you on the shoulder and said, “Excuse me… You are in My way.”? Has he asked “do you love me…give me (you fill in the blank)?” Maybe it is a tangible thing some prized possession that is keeping you in the way. Maybe it is an unwillingness to change direction or a wrong idea about how God works in our lives. May be it is fear or busyness or a God doesn’t really care attitude that is keeping you in the way of what He longs to be and do in your life.
This week I want to encourage you to look at your life and think about what you are hanging on to that is in the way of something better. Then the next time He taps you on the should and says “excuse me…” let whatever it is go and step out of the way so He can give you something better.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for wanting the best for us. Help us to know when we are getting in the way of what you have for us and then grant us the courage to step out of the way. In the name of Jesus, we pray - Amen
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