The first Sunday night of every month our church plant has a prayer service. The attendance is always a small percentage of the church body, but they’re a faithful little group. Last night, we met like always and I’m going to be completely honest. I don’t always have the best attitude about going. I like to rest on Sundays, chill in my comfy clothes and cuddle up with my girls. Going back to church on Sunday evening in my mind is an “old school” church tradition and it’s a drag! Anyway, I take my crappy attitude and my girls (since the hubs is there early) and we head to the service. And every first Sunday night of the month my attitude does a complete 180. I worship, I pray, I get vulnerable and I get emotional (as in I usually cry). The Lord softens my attitude and teaches me something. I hear scripture, stories and deep prayer needs. I get fed even though I didn’t know I was hungry.

We do this, Christians that is, we make excuses, we whine, we complain about another “church” event. We “check off” Sunday morning from our list and anything more is just “too much”. Sometimes we need to shut up. We need tell the voice in our heads to stop making excuses. Instead we need to say “yes” to time spent with God and His people. I’m reminded of the story of Mary & Martha from Luke 10:

“38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary,who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

There will ALWAYS be something on the “to do” list. There will always be sports, homework, grocery shopping, dinner to cook, laundry to fold, blah, blah, blah, but choose “what is better”. Jesus makes it pretty clear that the “to do” list isn’t as important as sitting at His feet. I don’t write these words in condemnation, but out of conviction on my own heart. He gives us so much and I give back so little. Together let’s stop making excuses, let’s say “yes” to time well spent with our Creator. Let’s allow our lives to be transformed for the one who gave it all to be with us. Let’s sit at his feet and listen to what He says. Let’s choose “what is better”.

Thanks for letting me share,