We are definitely living in a busy, fast-paced world. People are traveling by the hundreds of thousands every day as they fly at high speeds from location to location by plane. The traffic on the roadways is moving at a pace which seems out of control and chaotic at best. I am traumatized at times, especially when I am on the freeway going through such large cities as Chicago. It appears as if everyone is in a great hurry to get to from one place to another as quickly as possible.
We are also people, at least in today’s American society, who pack our schedules with so many activities there does not seem to be time in our lives to be able to slow down and relax, to catch our breath. This is neither healthy nor beneficial for our physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being.
It is a reality here in America attendance in church has significantly declined. Much of this has to do with the fact people are involved in so many things; sports, recreation, work at both a job and at home, as well as just staying busy trying to catch up with all there is going on. Church as a priority has slipped to what many believe is an all-time low in our country. This is truly a sad reflection on our American culture and history as a nation built on Christian values and beliefs. Not setting aside regular time with the Lord can be a destructive and detrimental practice!
There is a story in the Bible that has some similar characteristics with what is going on with many Christians today. The story I am referring to is in Luke 10:38-42. Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But 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. "But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Certainly, Martha was trying to be a good hostess, yet she lost sight of what was really important and necessary for her spiritual health and salvation. Staying busy is not what is to be so concerning. The real concern comes when we allow other things to get in the way of our relationship with Jesus. He is the one and only thing that is necessary for abundant life now and eternal life still to come. Let us not conform to the world’s busy ways. But instead, may you and I be transformed to the way of the Master. Time with Him is never misspent, misused, or lost!
Pastor McCarty