Contrasting Models and Simple Choices

UV 760/10,000 Contrasting Models and Simple Choices “But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10 v 42 Only one thing is needed for us to be rejoicing, for us to feel the power of God, to appropriate the grace of God and that is to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His life-giving words. We have two models before us: one to avoid that of Martha who is encumbered by the travails of this life and she is caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Her mind is distracted by many things: she wants to please her guests that include the Lord Jesus Himself. She is upset that her sister Mary is not sharing her burden and responsibility. We too are caught up in a variety of activities to please the Lord and to satisfy our own desires. Our mind is distracted by many real and imaginary worries. We also want to achieve our own ambitions. We are pulled in many directions. So how can we progress in the direction of the one thing that matters- to do the will of God. The second model is that of Mary: she delights in the fellowship with Jesus. She spends hours sitting at His feet listening to His teaching on the Kingdom of God. Her focus is on His Word. She can feel eternal life surging up in her heart like a forest spring as it gurgles to the surface of the earth. She can sense a burning in her heart as she listened to the Lord. It is the anointing of the Holy Spirit who interprets the Word to those whose passion is to listen and obey the Word. Her life is Word-driven. Her mind is focussed. She has found the purpose of her life as she listened to Jesus. The Word is delicious food and delectable drink to her spirit. She finds her strength being renewed. She is like a child without a care in this world. Nothing even the Lord Himself can take away her resolve and commitment. The phone line to her soul is continually engaged with the lover of her soul. The Words of Jesus were the topmost priority in her life. She found her philosophy, her management concepts, her explanations, her world-view in it. His glance upon her left her blessed. His smile energised her. His gestures conveyed His immense wisdom, gentleness and love. His words entered her ears and penetrated deep into her soul, leaving no part of her being untouched. Long after His physical presence left her, His words echoed inside her making her sense His continuing presence as if He had never left her. She was not mesmerised. Rather, every part of her was awakened to its full potential. She dwelled often thereafter on His words and treasured it all in her heart. She was satisfied and yet thirsty for more. Whenever and wherever she reflected on it, her whole being, spirit, mind and body were swamped with a sense of well being and joy that nothing else brought. Scripture always presents contrasting models: Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers,Saul and David, Peter and Judas, Martha and Mary. It is apparent which model is better and which is the model we need to avoid and which one to emulate. But, the choice has to be made individually. When we sit at the feet of Jesus, our hearts and minds and spirits are transported into the heavenly realms. We come to terms with God about our past. We find the inner strength to face the challenges of the moment. We have hope for the future. It induces wisdom and produces health and healing in us and around us. So much so, when we speak, people can sense the fragrance of the presence of Jesus. Prateep V Philip