Planning for the Presense of Jesus-A Special Daily Devotional

This morning, is Christmas Eve, and I am downstairs and my sweet husband is upstairs still laying in bed, listening to music on his IPod, I assume he needs to be alone, and will use this time to think, relax and reflect. So, I decide to go ahead and do my daily devotion, just as I do every morning during the week. I, for a split second, had thought that I might skip it. I need to be alone during my time with God, to pray, to read my devotion and take in and reflect upon it's statements, and verses, and try to discover how to apply it to my own life. Today was extra special. This devotion was meant for me...it has to be. I always like reading a devotional and discovering that it truly applies to me, and I'm like Wow, how awesome, and then there are times like today, where I am like, Wow, what a wake up call. You see, what makes this devotional so special is that yesterday my husband and I were talking about some of the issues that him and his mother are experiencing, and of course, I butted in and wanted to know if I had caused any of these issues to arrise, or worsen. He kindly told me, in the most gentle of ways, how I do have a few things, I could work on, among the details of our conversation, he mentioned to me that I need to relax more, and how my obbession with cleanliness is making others well, to put it in simple terms, "uncomfortable". We continued to talk about my little problem and how it is causing some people to get upset, and how in the future, this might cause more problems. Now, I know that I will always be a clean freak, no doubt, but there is time to clean and time to bond. I was pretty understanding, but also, pretty defensive. Last night, I was mostly just lost in my own thoughts, I felt like there was nothing wrong with the way I was, and well, to put it frank, "screw everyone else who isn't a clean freak". Well, that was until this morning, that was until I realized how I've been for so many years. For years, with company, I will retreat to the kitchen to hurry up and clean the mess of dishes, and spend a long time in there, while guests, our guests are enjoying each others company. I for years, spend hours, frantically cleaning every inch of our home,and before I got married, my apartment, preparing for my guests. Many times I became very stressed, loosing my temper, and becoming unpleasant to me around, just becuase I didn't give myself enough time to clean, to cook and make my self look presentable. Why? Why am I so obbessed? Well, I doubt I will ever know the answer, and honestly it is unimportant. On the other hand, what it is important is how my obession is affecting my relationships. My relationships are suffering becuase of my little problem, and it is eye opening to realize it.

God must be so happy to watch me this morning, and he must be saying to himself, look my child, look what I have to teach you. I read my devotion and began to understand, a little more, how important planning for the presense of God, and my guests, friends, family, really is in the big picture. Just as Mary knew that all the other details could wait, and she took the very special time she had with Jesus to sit at his feet, so should I. I need to work on remembering to "sit with Jesus", and to enjoy my time with family and friends and not spend my entire time cleaning. And even before my guests arrive, I need to plan accordingly, so that I am in the right peace of mind to host, and to be the friend and family that others need, and want. I need to work on not allowing my obession to seriously affect relationships. I pray that I will get better with this, and that I can still keep house as I'd like, but remember what's really important.

Here is the devotional for today..."But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made." Luke 10:40 (NIV)

I tend to consider myself a "Martha" type personality. And I don't mean Martha Stewart. That Martha was ready for Christmas in October, I'm sure.

No, I'm nothing like Martha Stewart. In fact, a few years ago I didn't even manage to decorate the tree. It had lights on it ONLY because it was a pre-lit tree! I managed to put a few gifts under it before Christmas because my dear children kept looking at me with big hopeful eyes, asking when I was going to wrap SOMETHING. But that was it. No cards. No Christmas concerts or caroling. No trip to see lights. Just a busy life made even busier.

For those who know the Luke 10 story of Martha and her sister Mary, that's the Martha I'm talking about. That Martha had the privilege of hosting Jesus in her home. But instead of sitting at His feet, like her sister Mary did, Martha worked and complained to Jesus that Mary wasn't helping her.

Let's put ourselves in that scene for a moment. Jesus has come to YOUR house. To visit YOU. And not only are you too busy to spend some time with Him, but the time you do have you spend complaining. You complain about "someone" not doing her job, and how you have to do all this work, and if only "someone" would help you then you could actually sit down and enjoy some time with Jesus and blah, blah, blah…

Martha wasted an amazing opportunity. And many times, so do I. She let the demands of every day overshadow the call of the divine. In fact, Jesus gently chided Martha, and affirmed Mary's choice to sit and spend time with Him in the middle of all the work that had to be done.

In verse 42 we read that Jesus told Martha her sister did what was "needed." So in Jesus' mind, whatever Martha was doing wasn't needed at that moment…whether it was to impress, pamper or comfort Him. Jesus just wanted Martha to sit down and spend time with Him.

Imagine if you had travelled far to visit the home of a friend. And in her desire to serve you, she never spends time with you. Do you know anyone like that? Don't you want to say, "Sit down. Relax. All this stuff doesn't matter. I came to spend time with you."

That's just what Jesus was saying to Martha. In other words,

Martha, thank you for caring about my needs. But, you don't have to worry so much. There's only one thing I want right now, and that's to spend time with you. Mary gets it. Come sit down next to your sister. The dishes will wait. But you won't have this time with Me very much longer.

Martha probably wasn't given much notice of Jesus' arrival, hence her rushing around. We, however, have been. Just as you would prepare for the arrival of a special guest to your home, I invite you to prepare for the presence of Jesus this Christmas.

Have you ever let the demands of the everyday pull you away from the divine? Have you ever chosen a good thing over the best thing? You're not alone. Today, I invite you to set aside all the preparations and distractions and sit in the presence of Jesus.

We don't have to do anything special to enjoy Jesus' company. We just have to quiet ourselves from the busyness of the day, take a deep breath, and allow Jesus to fill our hearts with His joy and peace. It can be sitting outside looking at the stars, listening to carols, or sipping a cup of coffee in front of a fire. Just sit down with nothing else to do and invite Jesus to join you.

When I think back about the scene recorded in Luke 10, between Martha and Mary, I can tell which sister had more peace in her life. And it wasn't Martha. This Christmas I definitely want to plan for the presence of Jesus – that's really all I need.

Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of Your son Jesus. As I go through this Christmas and the upcoming year, please help me set priorities that are pleasing to You. Help me remember to plan to enjoy the presence of Jesus more than I plan for the details. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Worship: Nearing the Heart of God by Glynnis Whitwer

Visit Glynnis’ blog for more encouragement!

Pursuing the Christ: 31 Morning and Evening Devotions for Christmastime by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

For more encouragement on intentionally focusing on Christ during busy seasons, click here

Application Steps:
Spend some time in prayer, asking God to show you His priorities for you this day and over the next year. Write down one or two things God brings to mind.

Reflections:
In holiday seasons past, when have you experienced the presence of Jesus most? Be specific.
How does time alone with Jesus change you?

Power Verses:
Luke 10:41-42, "'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" (NIV)

Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserve