As we begin what is arguably my favorite month of the year with all the bright fall colors and cooler temperatures, here is a question I would like you to ponder: Are you a type A personality or do you take time to lift up your head, look at the sky, breathe deeply, observing the beauty around you, and listen to the birds sing? Or do you miss what God is doing in the world because you are too busy running errands, working, or watching football?
Admittedly, I’m a type A personality, and I have to be very purposeful and intentional to slow down and just sometimes enjoy the simple things in life. I’ll admit, I’ve missed a lot in life because I’m so “task orientated.”
But the truth is; sometimes in life, we get so caught up with getting things done, and being busy, that we forget where we are, who we are, and what we ought to be doing as Christians. We have all tended to become so distracted in our busy lives, that we often fail to take time to hear the voice of our Lord found within the Holy Scriptures, which according to Jesus is the one thing we really need. Yet, how many of us wouldn’t even know where to look to find our Bibles at home? How many of us actually take the time to read it, or have a daily devotion? How many of us even take the time in the morning to converse with our Lord in prayer, bringing before Him our worries, wants and concerns for the day?
Again, I’m not pointing the finger because if I were, there would be three pointing right back at me! I’m just as guilty at not taking the time to slow down to read the Bible and pray.
This all rather reminds me of the story of Mary and Martha where Mary sat and listened to Jesus while her sister Martha busied herself with attending to her house guests. “Martha, Martha,” Jesus said, “you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary,” and that one thing is to hear my words of forgiveness and eternal life that come through me, and nothing else can be more important than that.
That of course is not to say that this weekend’s football game isn’t important to you or preparing dinners for the week, but we must recognize and acknowledge that those things are not as important as spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, or going to worship…for those things will have an eternal benefit for us.
As we hear of wars and rumors of wars, and how our culture seems bent on doubling down on immorality, I believe now is the appointed time for listening, receiving, and believing in Jesus.
One thing is necessary Jesus told Martha...one thing is critically important for us to hear and believe…and it is that Jesus came down from heaven for one purpose and only one…to serve us by giving up his perfect sin free life for us sinners, and imparting to us his perfection and his name, so that, henceforth we will forever be known as the children of God.
It has been said, that a person may go to heaven without being rich, without having honor, without an advanced college degree, and without a friend in the world, but a person can never go to heaven without the sweet voice of Jesus leading the way saying “I dearly loved and died for you…”
And with that…happy fall! Happy Halloween (All Hallows Eve) and Reformation Day!
Until next month….
Pastor Roloff