How Do We Find Balance?

I got a voicemail the other day from one of my dearest friends. She lives in Florida and was heading into town when she called. I want you to hear/read this. She said (hold on - listening to her message and typing quick!...)

"Hey Becky, Becky! Hey sweet friend! I just read your One Thing post on my phone...it really struck a cord with me based on today. I got up at 5:58am. I didn't get all of us ready and out of the house until about 2 o'clock. My question is ... when your working as hard as you possibly can do you just stop and say enough is enough? - I need to go be with Jesus? Do you just not do the work? Do I just stop doing what I'm doing? What do I do? What do you do? What should that actually look like? I know I need do the work and serve my family. But I know I need be with Jesus, too. I guess I'm wondering... How do I do both at the same time? When it's crunch time, ya know? When the rubber meets the road? OK. Call me back. Love you!"

Oh sweet friend. Your message sits at the heart of this series - At The Feet of Jesus. Aren't we all wondering the answer to the questions in her voicemail? How do we live at the feet of Jesus in November 2011? What does that look like? How do we make it all happen? - all the chores? The yard work? Paying bills? Calling your grandma? Choosing meaningful Christmas gifts? Grocery shopping? Making beds? Attending school functions? Helping kids with homework? Serving in the classroom? Driving kids to practice? Keeping your boss happy? Oh...and eating balanced meals. Cooking balanced meals for your family? Making balanced meals for friends with new babies? Exercising? Maintaining healthy friendships? Creating lasting memories for your children? Oh, and your husband (or wife)!? Pursuing your mate and loving them well.

Where does Jesus fit into all of this? And resting at His feet!?

Great question.

There must be practical ways to intentionally sit at the feet of Jesus, yes. And we will discuss some of those. But here is what I personally try try try to remember...I need to not try and fit God in to the balance of my life. He isn't Someone to be balanced...He is the High Wire. He holds everything together. He is the One who is holding me up. He gives me a place to stand. I wouldn't have one thing to be balancing if it weren't for Him - the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). He is it. He isn't to be balanced in my life - He is to be the King of it.

Mary...sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. Luke 10:39,40

You know one thing that strikes me about this whole story? Picture this with me...Jesus was reclining at the table in Martha and Mary's home. He was visiting with them both. Every word from his lips potent with life-altering truth. Mary was at Jesus feet, listening. Martha was in the kitchen, distracted. IF MARTHA WOULD HAVE SETTLED HERSELF DOWN, SHE TOO COULD HAVE LISTENED TO WHAT JESUS HAD TO SAY.
We aren't talking about big houses here. This was most likely one big open room. Martha very well could have CHOSEN to sit at Jesus feet...while she prepared the meal.

My Bible footnote says this, sitting at the feet of Jesus is "a disciples proper place." As a follower of Christ this is the position we are to take in life...at the feet of Jesus. But look here...In the Greek the word for feet is pous and is used here as a metaphor for disciples listening to their teacher's instruction.

So for us, today, November 23, 2011, this is what it means to sit at the feet of Jesus...to listen to His teaching and instruction.

Does this mean we sit in a chair at the kitchen table with a large cup of water, two cups of coffee, an Ipod and a Bible? Yes.

Does this mean while we mash potatoes over a hot stove we listen to a sermon that we DVR'd from last Sunday? Or download on your computer? Yes.

Does this mean we meditate on a verse while we drive to work in the mornings? Yes.

Does this mean that we pay attention to our own hearts as we read the little devotional book to our children at bedtime? Yes.

Does this mean that while we scurry to get out of town for a holiday trip to see family that we are mindful that a Living God watches over us and is our help - even in the little things? Yes.

Does this mean that we get on our knees before we go to bed and talk to the Lord about our day, confessing sin and entering into His sweet presence? Yes.

A disciples proper place...at Jesus' feet. Choosing His teaching over the distraction of the world. I like it.

And we said on Saturday...it is a day to day, second by second choice. And this choice is in fierce competition with "much serving."

But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will never be taken away from her. Luke 10:42

In light of Thanksgiving, I get tickled to think that Jesus is the only Bread where we don't need to watch our portion size. He is the good portion. Gobble Him up this Thanksgiving. No portion control necessary.

Sit at His feet, dear disciple. Even in the hustle. For it is our proper place.

And Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours. (I can't get my third to retire his Halloween costume. Oh well.) Love to you all...

One Necessary Thing for the Holidays {II}

Imagine yourself standing in a long checkout line at Target. To pass the time you begin to browse the magazines. You have no children with you, the nanny has them all at home practicing violin (hey – this is fiction…let’s make it good) so you grab a “grown-up” candy bar to share with absolutely no one.

You notice that headlining the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine reads this tagline, “The One Thing Necessary For Everything You’ll Ever Need.”

Hmmm. What in the world would that be? Quite a lofty statement, isn’t it? Who has the authority to say such a thing?

Well, unfortunately for Cosmo, that one thing has already been determined. The Word is already out – about 2000 years ago actually.

So instead of thumbing the magazine to page 103 to read more, simply flip to Luke 10:41, 42 with me this morning.

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. Luke 10:41a, 42

Last post we asked of Mary, “Tell us Mary. What is this one thing that will never be taken from you? What drove you to the floor that evening at dinner. What had you figured out that Martha had not?”

Today, we get our answer. Stick with me as we break this down.

One Thing (heis) : that one which is required to be singled out from a certain number

The “one thing that is necessary” must become uncommon from the number of other things buying for our attention. The One Thing is to be “singled out.” Given special attention. Set apart as other.

Necessary (chreia) : to supply what is absolutely necessary for life; for the edification of the soul, of which this is special need. (read that again)

Friend, if we take it all away - Every possession we own, every dollar we make, every relationship we have, every success we achieve, every plan on your calendar, the upcoming holiday preparation...take it all away and we are left with our longing souls and a satisfying Savior. He is the One. Nothing else will do. Mary understood that Jesus was absolutely necessary for her life. He edified her soul. He met all of the special needs within her.

Mary has chosen the good portion. V 42

Our life is simply a conglomeration of the choices we make. Little bitty “what’s for dinner” choices up to the big “who will we marry” choices. We are given the freedom of choice all of the time.

This story of Mary and Martha is not just a story about busy Martha in the kitchen. This story is about the contrast of choice.

Chosen (eklegomai) to pick out for one’s self.

Martha and Mary both had a choice to make. Jesus was with them both. He did not come more in favor of Mary. He didn’t come to see only her. Mary had to make a conscious choice to sit at his feet. Martha could have chosen the same.

Does this mean that Mary is better that Martha? No. Martha could have still worked in the kitchen and her choice could still have been to rest in Jesus. The picture portrayed of Martha and Mary is a representation of the heart choices we all make. Martha’s service to Jesus was not a bad thing. We are called to serve others. And we are also called to sit at the feet of Jesus.

This passage is not about Martha getting “caught up in the preparations of a meal. It is about choosing between what is good and what is better.” –Bible Gateway.

Jesus words to Martha are not condemning or unkind. He is compassionate to our sweet Martha, Martha.

He didn’t condemn Martha. He commended Mary.

Mary has chosen the good portion. V. 42

Good: Insures salvation to him who choses it.

The definition of good is significantly more poignant that our flippant use of the word. Good, as used here is to define the good choice of salvation. Do you see the word “choice” again?

Portion: an assigned part or provision.

Don't miss this...Jesus Himself is our assigned provision. The God Head provided us a Savior from the throne of Heaven. He came and assigned himself, meeting the demands and longings of our souls. He is the One Thing. Jesus. Our cup and portion forever. Psalm 16:5
Yes, he is our assigned good portion. He will never be taken away from us. But we must choose Him. Initially as our Savior. And every moment after that.

Like Mary, we must learn to rest at the feet of Jesus. Even if we are scurrying in the kitchen, filing papers at work, loading a dishwasher, sitting in carpool, wrapping Chritmas gifts, carving a turkey…our heart can still rest at the feet of Jesus. We can still enjoy his presence. We can still offer praise to His name - giving thanks to the fulfillment of our soul. We can still choose the good portion – every second of the day.

Will you choose Him today?

He is the One. The One Thing Necessary.

One Necessary Thing for the Holidays

busy: (adj) \ˈbi-zē\ engaged in action : occupied : being in use : full of activity : bustling : foolishly or intrusively active : meddling : full of distracting detail

Did ol' Merriam Webster have me in mind when writing this definition? There are days that I fear these words mark me. Days my blog bio should honestly read:

Becky Crenshaw: A busy and intrusively active wife. Mother of three and full of activity. Lover of Jesus and meddler of distracting detail.

Busyness. It eats my lunch. Driving its hectic teeth into my planner. Busyness bosses me around. Spouting out orders. Busyness wreaks havoc on my household. Busyness. Arguably one of the greatest curses of our culture. Busyness. The motivation for the following passage of scripture...

Now as they were 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 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."
Luke 10:38-42

I had read this story before. I knew the contrast of Mary and Martha. Numerous books have been written on this passage. The parallels have all been made. But. Oh but. When the Lord uses a "familiar" passage to speak to my soul... the words come to life - breathed fresh from Heaven that very day.

Martha, Martha. Oh we would have been friends.

We might have served on the same committee, you and I. Or shared the same recipe. I betcha we could have thrown one heck of a party. Martha, Martha. You wouldn't have needed Mary. I would have been in the kitchen with you - your right-hand-gal.

I get tickled at Martha, all sassy. I'd bet she spoke with a hand on one hip, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me." Occasionally, I paraphrase a bit making a character's voice a little more personable. Martha doesn't need my help. Nope, she's animated all on her own. Can't you envision her frustration? Motioning to her sister in the floor. With clinched teeth, Get up, Mary. We have company. What are you doing in the floor? Have you lost your mind?

Martha, Martha.

This time of year, we have to be a bit Martha, don't we? Soon we, too, will be welcoming family and friends into our homes. Preparing dishes, decorating, shopping, addressing cards, school programs, staff parties, holiday travel. And we must do these things. None of them are bad. It's when they all get thrown in together withing the span of 25 days that things get sticky.

This culture and its \ˈbi-zē\ pace, pins us against the wall and slaps Martha's apron on. Get going now. Serve serve. Bustle here. Bustle there.

Is it possible to live out a Martha schedule with a Mary heart?

Is it possible to approach the busyness of the holiday season at the feet of Jesus?

Yes....But one thing is necessary.

And Mary had chosen it.

Mary, please tell us! The Martha's and I need to know. What did you understand that your sister didn't? Share your secret! What one thing did you choose? My holiday depends on it....

Come back for the next post as we learn about this one thing that was so necessary.

Today, do Jesus words speak to you? Could you replace Martha's name in this passage for your own? "_______, ________. You are anxious and troubled about many things."

At The Feet Of Jesus {a new series}

One day last week, I stood brushing my teeth over on my side of the bathroom vanity. Brent stood at his sink, leaning towards the mirror and studying the length of his new facial hair.

With a toothbrush busy in my mouth, I muffled, "You about ready to shave that?"

"Babe. You know its November."

Ah, yes. November. For some this month means Thanksgiving and pumpkin pie. Daylight savings, left-over turkey, apple cider, falling leaves and fields full of hay bales.

But for my husband - "No Shave November."

He is now going on ten years of this, ahem, yearly tradition. Brent and all of his Bible study guys rebelling the razor for thirty (long) days. No offense to the bearded men, but I am not a facial hair type-a -gal. It's not that I mind the way a beard looks. Right handsome, I must say. But God has given me only one man to kiss on the mouth, and this is the one man. I personally prefer a less, well, abrasive surface.

"You better be careful over there, mister. No shave November, might become No Kiss November if that thing gets any more out of hand. {laugh}"

"Come on, beards are awesome. Even Jesus had one."

"True. But I'm called to kiss His feet, not necessarily His face."

When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. This woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Luke 7:37,38,44-50

What is it, that would make this sinful woman, break open her finest jar of perfume and wash the feet of any man? Weeping, she unashamedly kissed the bare feet of Jesus, in the presence of many of the most intelligent, influential teachers of the day - The Pharisees. The Scribes. The leaders of the major Jewish sects.

What is it about the feet of Jesus? Why wouldn't she have brushed his hair or kissed his cheeks? Why does the Bible instruct us to sit at the feet of Jesus? How does this translate to us today - November 2011?

I want to know...What happens to us when we sit at the feet of our Savior?

I want to lean in and study myself in the mirror. Looking not at my face, but at the attitudes and intentions of my heart. I want to feel the hand of Jesus resting on my head. To hear him whisper to me, "Beloved, your sins are forgiven. Go in peace."

Do you need to hear this, too?

For several posts, leading up to Christmas, we will study this very thing: The believer's place at the feet of Jesus.

From those baby toes Mary must have kissed a hundred times to the beautiful feet that walked the road to Calvary - it is here we will see ourselves transformed, as one whose sins are forgiven.

Picture by "Glorifying's Profile" on Photo Bucket