Kicking Off The Week

In Luke 10:38-42 we find the very familiar story of Jesus at Mary and Martha’s house. Martha was working at furious pace to make sure everything was ready and prepared for Jesus while Mary sat and listened at Jesus’ feet. Martha became irritated with her sister and demanded that Jesus send Mary to the kitchen to give her a hand! From our perspective, that is a reasonable request on Martha’s part! But Jesus said that Mary had chosen what was more valuable.

Knowing Jesus is life. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says some very sobering words, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father. Many will say…’did we not prophecy in your name, and…drive out demons and perform miracles?’ Then I will tell them… ‘I never knew you…’” Serving Jesus is great. It is valuable, significant, and fulfilling—but serving is not the same as knowing. You can work alongside someone at your job and never really know them. Knowing takes intentional effort to quiet one’s self down and listen to the other person’s heart. What God desires from us is more than anything else is that we KNOW Him. In knowing Him, we will love Him better. In loving Him better, we will serve Him better. In serving Him better, we will reach people better. But it all starts with knowing Him. Relationship trumps work. The “who” trumps the “what.” Becoming like Him trumps doing things for Him (because when you are like Him, you will then do the things as He Himself would do them!).

As we begin this work week that is sure to be filled with busyness, meetings, paper work, deadlines, co-workers :-), and other such things, please take time to spend in the presence of Jesus. Take five or ten minutes to bow before Him and draw off of His strength and His life. Spend that time to get to know another aspect of His heart and character. He will speak with you and talk to you if you are listening! Know Him. It’s life!

Blessings!

Pastor Kyle Bauer