"Delight in Me."

The story of Mary and Martha has always stood out to me. I guess you could say that it’s one of my favorite passages in the Bible. In the past, I have used the story to illustrate how the church has become more like Martha, too busy with the details to experience the presence of God. I still feel that way, but today, God hit me with a new thought. He introduced the aspect of my own humility, or lack thereof, which produced a whole new line of thinking.

I am more like Martha than I would like to admit. Martha and I are the same in our desire for perfection. I am actively pursuing perfection. I have this mentality that everything must be perfect in my life before God will move...meaning, that, spiritually, I need to reach that spot or depth in God that I had at one time possessed. And I know that this is something that everyone has struggled with, but I guess I’ve just now realized that it’s something that I struggle with.

But it’s not about seeking after perfection; it’s about seeking His presence. On my own, I can’t do anything. I can’t make myself better. I can’t save myself. God’s presence is what heals me. I will admit that I’ve become legalistic, setting out to follow a set of rules, instead of letting God meet me where I am and having a real relationship with Him. It’s hard for me to ask to for help. It’s difficult to admit when something is too great for me to handle. But if I could just learn to humble myself in the presence of God, He can fix me. God is the only Being who doesn’t expect me to do things on my own. I need to learn to let go, to throw my hands up and say “I can’t do this. I messed up. Will You pick me up?”

In Luke 10:42, Jesus said that “there is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

God, teach me how to delight in You.