Song:“Cristo yo te Amo”

Jesus visits Martha and Mary

”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.” Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

During my first year as a Pastor I served with all the passion I believed was required of me by God. In between my pastoral visits and demands, church events and serving in different ministries, I neglected my first love. I found myself struggling with my own strength, feeling overwhelmed, burned out, and frustrated with my limited capacity.

One morning, while I prayed with anguish, I felt Jesus calling me with urgency to surrender at His feet. His call was without judgment, nor reproach, just His love. Then and there I understood it was necessary to take a pause in my life, a“Selah”, in order to listen to the voice of God clearly. It was a difficult choice, but in my obedience, I also found peace. It reminded me of the story of a weary and anxious Martha serving Jesus, while Mary was resting at His feet.

On my last days functioning under my pastoral duties, before I took a pause, God reminded me with the song“Cristo yo te amo”(Christ I love you), that even though I distanced myself from Him, I could return to His feet, the place of authority in which I was created for His presence. If you recognize that you have distanced yourself a bit from Jesus, remember the place where you gave your life to Him, and remember the simple words of this song:“Christ I love you, I dont know where I would be If I never had met you."

Prayer:

Christ Jesus, teach us to serve without distraction and to seek you with all our heart. We love you and surrender to your feet. Fill us with your peace, so we can bring that peace to this tired and hurt world.

Amen.

Bible Verses: Luke 10:38-42; 1 John 4:10; Romans 5:8