illumination

knowledge. i love to understand. i love to know answers. i was speaking with God, just small talking with Him. asking Him questions, wanting answers, wondering out loud about my future. perplexed and curious over my many queries. He reminded me of this story in luke 10 -

Martha and Mary

³⁸Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴²but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

i believe that we humans get so caught up in a “getting through Christianity” attitude that we forget to sit and listen to Jesus. truly, many days i wake up and i am guilty of just trying to survive another 24 hour period. just as martha did. in the story she was so busied with the cooking, the dishes, with the many things of life that she forgot who was in her home, just feet away from her. she was infatuated with kickin’ things into gear and getting things done. she missed it. but mary, she found the prize. she found the necessity of life. luke says that mary sat at Jesus’ feet, she was consumed with His teachings. i have many questions for the Lord. but have i taken the time to listen to His answers? i have not failed to ask Him many questions, but He reminds me to stop worrying, to stop being anxious, and to listen to His voice. God so desires us to dwell with Him. to sit and be still in His presence. quietly listening. i have come to learn that hard work alone doesn’t cut it. but when you abide in the Father, continually, He moves. He changes lives, and gives Hope. He gives peace and strength. instead of rushing He gives us a reason to live each moment to its fullest. mary knew how to abide in Him. the peace and wisdom that she gained from abiding would never be taken away from her. those moments at Jesus’ feet were precious. Jesus longs for more of those moments with us. i know He is willing and ready to lead us to places of truth. He will lead us into His perfect plan. one of my favorite passages of scripture is from john 15 - it is the ultimate key to living fully in Christ…

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
the Lords’ presence is unbelievably sweet. so go, dwell, sit at His feet. consume what He says. ask questions. be illuminated by the truth that you find there. get dizzy in all that He is. our Father is completely captivating. breathtaking.  He is waiting for us to realize who He truly is. intoxicated by the Father! what could be better?