Introduction: What kind of OBSTACLES are you facing today that keep you from being with Jesus? Worry? Stress? Pressure? Anger? Pride? Self-dependence? Why should we spend time with Jesus? Does it really matter? Will it help? Why don’t we do it? What keeps us from being with Jesus? As a servant of Jesus Christ, see which person describes you best—Martha or Mary.
Here are some OBSTACLES that can be turned into OPPORTUNITIES for spending time with Jesus or not spending time with Jesus. By the way, this should be a daily practice, not just once a week on Sunday. I love what Dr. Luke records in Acts 4:13: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Interesting to note that Luke’s Gospel also records another situation with two sisters who chose different ways of handling being with Jesus.
1. Obstacles That Keep Us from Being with Jesus! (Luke 10:38-42) – “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me… And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.”
While Martha was helpful by fixing a delicious meal, she was bitten by both ANXIETY as well as AGITATION! Have you been there? Busyness, distractions, lack of priorities, and short-sightedness are all OBSTACLES that block us from really being with Jesus—quality time. Please note, these are not necessarily “bad things,” but pay attention because they are not heaven’s “best!”
Are you up against obstacles today? Can you turn them into opportunities for being with Jesus?
2. Obstacles That Are Turned into Opportunities for Being with Jesus! (Luke 10:39) – “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.”
Perhaps Mary was faced with the same decisions as Martha; yet, she turned her OBSTACLES into OPPORTUNITIES for being with Jesus! Will you overcome? Are the things in life getting you down? Do you find yourself complaining instead of worshipping?
Conclusion: At first, it appears that Martha is a hard worker, which she was. And Mary may have been considered lazy. But that is not the case. Instead, this narrative reveals the two sisters’ decisions affecting their inward attitudes, which stem from their personal priorities.
Will you purpose in your heart to spend time today with Jesus? In order for that to happen, you might need to turn off the TV, computer, or silence your cell phone for a while. Remember, your OBSTACLES in serving Jesus Christ can be turned into OPPORTUNITIES while serving Him.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
