Tag: Maturing

Today’s Word Is CIRCUMSTANCES

Thu-Jun-4-2020
Originally published
Wed-Nov-27-2019

The verse that says “I can do all things” by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:13 is popular and encouraging. But it means something more than what some people think. Philippians 4:10-14 is about Good Times & Hard Times … and how to thrive spiritually, mentally, and emotionally in all of them.

To do so we need to overcome what I call “try-harder” theology. You see, Paul was not saying, “I can do all things, if I try hard enough.” But that’s how many people use it.

So, here’s “the rest of the story” …

First of all … Sometimes we need help. The Apostle Paul earned money making tents, but many times that was not enough. He still needed offerings from churches. It’s OK to ask for help. But it’s not OK to complain if someone can’t help. For awhile the church couldn’t help Paul, but Paul thanked them when they could.

Paul says (v.10) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.

Also … True contentment is apparently hard to achieve, since so few appear to have it. Learning how to adjust to a wide range of circumstances is not popular. After all, if I go through a drought, what am I going to do about the house and car payments? We want the circumstances to adjust to us. Paul learned to adjust to them. He had a mission that was more important than circumstances.

(v.11) Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Next … Without that passion for a calling or purpose in life, we often resort to bemoaning our misfortunes. When there’s plenty, we’re happy, but when we must do without … well … does our joy leave when difficulty arrives? Paul is our witness that it is possible to be as content in poverty as it is in prosperity. We will endure circumstances when we are on a mission. It could be as a schoolteacher, as a nurse, as a pastor, as a social worker, or any other job, as a parent to our children, loving our spouse, working for a non-profit or a church project. What we are passionate about will help us to disregard certain difficulties.

(v.12) I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

NOW, HERE COMES THE BLESSING …

(v.13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Some folks take this to mean that any bad circumstance can turn into a good one simply by believing it can happen, or that God will fix it for me, or that just trying harder is the way to overcome the barrier … and once the circumstance turns good, then I can rest, get the precious joy back, and be thankful that I succeeded.

But Paul is making a deeper point. “Doing all things” might just mean putting up with irritations or lack of amenities in order to accomplish a higher purpose.

Even if things are bad right now, and even if they’re going to stay bad for a while. No matter. I have God and he is enough. And my joy doesn’t come and go with good times and bad. They’re all alike to me in this sense: I am the same ‘me’ and God is the same God, regardless of my circumstances.

He is our strength in good times. He is our strength in hard times.

LAST THOUGHT …

We are not to wallow in our difficulties in order to get mileage or sympathy points out of our suffering. If things are difficult, we stay on course, and give thanks when caring people pitch in and lift us up.

(v.14) Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

Stay steady in all circumstances, difficult or easy,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is CONSEQUENCES

Fri-May-29-2020
It’s Humor Day!

In the Prohibition days, “revenuers” would go out into the mountains looking for illegal moonshine stills. One such revenuer was trying to track down a particularly well-known moonshiner. He came to the house where he thought the man lived. Outside the house there was a young boy clothed rather raggedly and sitting in a tree.

“Hey there, young fella,” the revenuer said from a distance.

“Who you and what you want?” replied the boy.

“I am looking for a man named John Smith. Do you know him?”

“Yessir, I do. That’d be my grandpappy.”

“Is he at home?”

“No sir.”

“Could you tell me where I could find him?”

“Well, sir, he’d be down at the still about now.”

“Could you give me directions to where that is?”

“Yessir, for five dollars I could.”

“OK, son, I can do that. Tell me where to find him.”

“First you pay me the five dollars.”

“Now, son. The way it works is that you tell me how to find him, and if he’s there, then I’ll come back and pay you the five dollars. Is that a deal?”

“No, sir, that won’t work. The five dollars first.”

“No, son, first I go find him and then I come back and pay you.”

“The five dollars is first, Mister, ‘cause you ain’t coming back.”

I heard that story from the wonderful Nell Mohney, author, speaker, and newspaper columnist, whose husband Dr. Ralph Mohney was the long-time pastor of First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga. She was a treasure who inspired many.

Here is my application of Today’s Word … There are some sure things about sins. They have consequences. There are certain decisions we make such that if we go down that road, we will not be coming back to the way things were. Fortunately, if we are in right relationship with God, we can be forgiven. But the blessing of being forgiven will not undo the consequences we caused regarding our own future nor the damage caused in the lives of others.

Often, we find that our foolish desires may have a temporary benefit, but afterward a great cost. It can be said of the temptation to sin, that it will “take you further than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay!” Let’s help each other not to go down those roads from which there is a great cost and no coming back to the way things were.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is RETALIATE

Thu-May-28-2020

Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you, instead, pay them back with a blessing. (1st Peter 3:9 NLT)

This verse is not very popular in today’s world. I suspect it wasn’t 2,000 years ago either. I have told hundreds of people over the years that they will have to forgive someone and bless them instead of retaliating. No one ever answered, “Oh boy, that sounds like fun.” But over time, God can cleanse you of the urge to retaliate as a first response.

I have had to work on this myself because I grew up with a hidden anger. I still have incidents where my first thought is to strike back. But I have come a long way and now have far fewer times when that anger develops. For me, it took the love of God being poured into me. I had to really, really think, think, think, and internalize that I am loved and accepted. My mind had to be “transformed.” That’s because my problem wasn’t with resenting other people, it was more about my struggle with self-acceptance. Here’s what the Apostle Paul said about mind transformation:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2a NLT)

Another verse that influenced me was Romans 8:1, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Think of this in law enforcement terms. When I gave my life to him, I was transferred into his custody, thus no other agency can undo God’s authority over me. The worldly court of condemnation could accuse me of being guilty of violating one of their standards. And indeed, I might be guilty of that infraction. But the world court doesn’t get to try my case, it has no jurisdiction or authority over my spirit.

I am in God’s custody. I am free from the spiritual/emotional backlash of this world. I can no longer be tried in Satan’s court. In God’s court, I am forgiven and have already been declared righteous. Does that cause me to be proud? No … not proud, but humble. Does that make me want to get away with wrongdoing? No … it makes me want to please God and to walk a higher path. And when someone insults me, I’m not much interested in engaging in battle. I am free.

If you really internalize this ownership of your life by a loving God, and it goes way down into the depths of your soul, then retaliation against offenses no longer makes sense. Wouldn’t it be great to read that Bible verse above … “Don’t retaliate, pay back with a blessing” … and say to yourself, “I can do that!” And, indeed, it will become your new way of life.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is HEAR

Wed-May-27-2020

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

When this verse says, “If anyone hears,” I conclude that not everyone hears. It implies to me that even though a voice may be speaking, something about some people causes them not to hear that voice, at least under present conditions.

For the first time in our 37-year marriage, my wife and I have a home with a swimming pool. We like it. I am now the “pool guy,” and there is always something to do. Under certain conditions, sometimes the pool pump clicks off and must be restarted. The equipment is near the end of the house where our bedroom is, and while I am getting ready in the morning, I can tell by the presence or absence of a certain sound with a certain pitch whether the pool pump is running or not. My wife can’t hear it unless I hum the pitch and she really, really concentrates, and sometimes still can’t.

On the other hand, my wife has had the sense of hearing the faint cry of one of the kids during the night while I remained asleep. There are folks who can be at a crowded occasion in a large facility, and yet when a child falls and cries out from the other side of the room, the parent of that child knows the sound of that cry.

There is something in each of us capable of hearing the voice of God. We can be preoccupied by our world, our job, our activities, whatever … such that God’s voice doesn’t get our attention. But God is calling. He hasn’t left you out or given up on you because of your present season of stress and distraction. Stop and listen. You can hear him.

During my younger years, I heard others use this passage as an evangelism and conversion tool. And I adopted that approach as well. Jesus is knocking on the hearts of unbelievers because he wants to come in and save them, take up residence.

While that is true … that Jesus wants to come into the hearts of unbelievers, that is not who this message was originally written to. It was addressed to the Church at Laodicea. Yes, Jesus is knocking on the door of a church that has stopped listening to his voice. This is the church to whom Jesus said, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation (3:15-17)

This is evidence that even though we might have been a believer for a long time, we still have spells when we are not really listening. In one sense, that is what this passage is about … the church … one full of believers who have stopped listening. Isn’t it interesting that his request was for “anyone” on the inside of that door to hear him and invite him in!! And while this is a call to the churches to become on fire again, it is also about any believer who has learned to ignore what God is saying.

I listened to a story on the radio today from a man who was sitting in a church leadership meeting when the Lord spoke to him about the extra-marital affair that he thought he was getting away with. And the voice said, “Today is the day to come clean. It is time to trade your story of infidelity for God’s story of faithfulness and forgiveness.” The next day he revealed the truth to his wife, and a new story began.

Now that’s pretty serious. And maybe your situation is, too. Or maybe your story is completely different. Maybe it’s about your church. Or perhaps you personally have wandered away from God. Listen for his voice today. God has “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) But he does want you to hear his voice. He wants to continually write and rewrite your story. He does not want you to be lukewarm. He wants you to be all in.

Wherever you are in life … stop and listen. Invite him in. Dine with him and be nourished. Be changed. Be new.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is INQUISITIVE

Fri-May-22-2020
It’s Humor Day!

As we get ready to celebrate Memorial Day and to honor those who have served our country through military service, I share with you a bit of humor.

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed young Alex was staring up at a large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it.

Seven-year-old Alex asked, “Pastor McGhee, what is this?”

“Well, son, it’s a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.”

Little Alex got a worried look and in an inquisitive voice asked, “Which service, the 9:00 or the 11:00?”

Children like to ask questions. So did Jesus. When he was twelve years old, his family made their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover feast with their extended family. At the conclusion they left for home, thinking that Jesus was in the group somewhere. But after searching for him during the first day, his parents returned to Jerusalem to see if he had stayed behind and gotten lost.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:46-49)

There is always something to learn in the Kingdom of God. And even as a twelve-year-old, Jesus loved talking about his Father’s business and seeking greater understanding. Yes, Jesus had things to learn. We understand that he was the Son of God and the only perfect person, but his need to learn as he grew up is based on our doctrine that Jesus emptied himself of his equality with God in order to live among us as a man, fully God in origin, but fully a servant of God in the likeness of man.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:5-7)

At age twelve he already understood that God was his Father, and God’s house was his true home. Twelve was the age at which a child became an adult in their tradition, and their focus was now on learning and growing in the image of the Father. So, Luke says at the end of this story, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)

That is a great statement for us to embrace for our focus as believers.

I hope you attend services somewhere this weekend, as you continue to grow in wisdom and understanding and in favor with God and man.

Giving thanks this weekend for those who died in service to our country,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is SACRIFICE

Thu-May-21-2020

“But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation…” – The Apostle Paul (2nd Corinthians 1:6)

In our culture, the norm is to avoid suffering at any cost. There are lots of people who would be willing to help you in a time of need, so long as it is convenient. Far fewer are those who would suffer hardship and inconvenience in order to serve you or help in a crisis. But the love of God that comes to dwell within us as Christians is an unconditional love. Thus, Paul tells the Corinthians that he is willing to suffer affliction in order to bless them.

Is there anyone in your past or present who has made great sacrifices on your behalf? Were any of those sacrificial people doing so unexpectedly? Maybe they were strangers or just someone who went out of their way to take an interest in you at a critical time in life. Without those people our world would be worse off for it. It is a noble thing to intentionally make sacrifices for the sake of someone else. As parents we do so for our children, but all too often people don’t make sacrifices unless there is compensation. (Hmmm … I guess if you get compensated, it’s not really a sacrifice after all.)

In the case of Paul, he was making these sacrifices without requiring compensation and doing it for complete strangers. Many of us restrict our sacrificial giving and acts of service to those we know and love, or at least to those who, in our opinion, deserve it.

Whoa … wait a minute … no compensation for Paul? Well, actually, he did sometimes receive offerings of assistance, though not always, and certainly not because he demanded it. They were gifts. And beyond that, there were some intangible compensations from God that were also gifts. You will find out about them below.

Paul was involved in a three-party relationship … himself, those he helped, and God whom he served. The reason he made sacrifices was not founded on the needs of the people he was “sent to,” it was because of the “sender” … God who called him, who sustained him, and who gave him a purpose.

Think about it … the idea of sacrificing for others is at the very heart of what God is asking us to do. It is not about increasing our goodness points. It is not about caring for someone because they care about us. It is not about helping those who deserve it. It is because we have a Great Provider who has done far more for us than we could ever do for anyone else.

We get to imitate the God of the universe by doing sacrificial and costly things, because God has always been willing to do sacrificial and costly things for us. At the cost of his Son’s life, he forgave our sins and gave us a new heart. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

Are there benefits? Of course, there are. God certainly wants to bless us with tangible benefits … home, family, comfort, and well-being. But these are secondary to God’s amazing intangible benefits. And as Paul is trying to say, it is worth it to forgo tangible benefits when doing so will benefit others. “But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation…” (2nd Corinthians 1:6)

Our sacrifices for the sake of others open doors within them to receive comfort and salvation. It also opens doors within us to receive the intangible benefits of love, peace, hope, joy, and fulfillment. Would you trade these five things for all the treasures in the world? I wouldn’t.

I am thankful for your sacrifices for the sake of others,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is HIGHER

Wed-May-20-2020

Image result for isa 55 8-9

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Psalm 55:8-9)

The whole idea of electricity and how it works amazes me. The fact that water is going through turbines in a dam and causing a light bulb in my living room to glow is a wonder.

And how can an ant with a brain the size of a speck of dust, and whose home is 20 yards from my house, find a pinhead sized fragment of a candy bar located on the floor in the grandkids’ playroom inside my house made of thick walls, and then remember the way back to its mound?

The universe is amazing, and the Creator of the universe is not just amazing but is in fact the source of anything and everything that is amazing. I don’t have to know how electricity works to enjoy its benefits. And I don’t have to know how God works to enjoy him.

To an ant, I am beyond comprehension. And to me, God is beyond comprehension. The difference is that I can never communicate with an ant and explain who I am; whereas God has designed me in his likeness and chosen to reveal himself to me in a way that I can understand enough to know that he is good, loving, and trustworthy. Indeed, if I accept the invitation to relate to him, he renews my mind sufficiently to understand enough about him to receive his blessings.

If God has communicated through his Word that he knows me better than I know myself, and if he cares more for me than I care for myself, and if he has plenty enough ability and resources to supply my needs, and loves me and promises me to do so, then that is also more than I can fathom. But I choose to believe it and to receive it.

We cannot know all that God knows, but we can trust him and enjoy him. I have had plenty of ups and downs in life, but I must say that God has supplied my needs enough for me to cling to him above all else. But there is more depth of relationship beyond just “getting my needs met” in a physical sense.

Somewhere in our walk with God we should become so in love with the Lord, so bonded with him, so trusting, that getting our needs met is really secondary. The main thing is more about loving and being loved than about being comfortable. To be deeply in love with God who is deeply in love with us eventually makes comfort an irrelevant issue.

The amazing journey with God is higher than my thoughts. It happens through his ways which are higher than my ways. What an adventure! – To engage in something higher than I can understand! Hey … I’m all in for that! How about you?

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is ANXIOUS

Tue-May-19-2020

“Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

What are we doing when we “anxiously look about”? It might be that we are looking for another solution because we don’t like what we’re being told.

There is a story about a man on the side of a cliff who has his foot on a loose rock, and he is clinging for dear life. He yells upward, “Help! Is anybody up there?”

The answer comes in a deep voice, “This is God! Let go and I will catch you!”

The man is silent, wondering what to make of this voice. So, he finally yells again, “Is anyone else up there?”

Trusting God sounds easy … but many times it’s not that easy. If you are suffering from anxiety, you probably can identify with this particular definition … It has been said that “the root of anxiety is a loss of control.”

When our world or a certain situation is out of our control, we may struggle to find any way we can to regain some control. But we can trust the one who has ultimate control. If we exercise our faith, then the Scripture “I am your God” is a good enough answer in any circumstance. Let me repeat that … “I am your God” is a good enough answer in any circumstance. “Do not be anxious about anything …” (Philippians 4:6)

It doesn’t seem like it could be that simple, but it is amazing what repeating a statement of faith like Isaiah 41:10 can do. First, we put ourselves into a calmer state of mind. “I am not going to fear, because God is with me.” We tell ourselves, “I am going to stop looking anxiously about me to find my own solution. I am going to look to God, because he is my strength and my help.” Then we repeat as many times as it takes … “God will uphold me with his righteous right hand.” Then we let God speak peace into our hearts.

[Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39)

I do love it when I call upon the Lord, and he says, “Peace! Be still!” And I experience that real peace of God flowing in and filling my inner being, and I become completely calm.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is FULFILLMENT

Thu-May-14-2020

“Making money can give you a sense of achievement but only Making a Difference will give you a sense of Fulfillment.” – RVM from India

Ron Hutchcraft, a well-known speaker and author, shared that as he was raising his children, he would send them off to school with these words: “Go MAD!” They knew that those letters stood for “Make A Difference,” and they did just that, touching the lives of other kids at school in a positive way.

One theory of personality proposes that there are three basic human needs: Acceptance, Security, and Significance. I think there are folks who feel increasingly restless, empty, or unfulfilled the further along life goes because they have been spending most of their time and energy worrying about and concentrating on acceptance and security. But as the above quote proposes, this may help with one’s sense of achievement, but it does not necessarily provide that sense of fulfillment and significance that we all need.

Instead of struggling mightily with any lack of acceptance that we feel, we should settle it by affirming the truth that God does accept us fully, and the death and resurrection of Christ is sufficient evidence for that. There is a great sense of peace in this. I remember personally embracing this earlier in my life – I am accepted. Any rejection I have experienced since then, I have been confident in dismissing it as having no power over me.

As for the second need – that of feeling safe and secure – there is plenty of evidence from God through Scripture that he is watching over me. Psalm 121 (see below) assures me that he is “keeping me” and “preserving me.” This has caused me to conclude that there is no mistake I can make that leaves me unprotected. There is only one fatal mistake in life – that of rejecting Christ as Savior. Nothing else I could possibly do would leave me vulnerable. There will be consequences from mistakes and sins, but they are all forgivable, and based on Romans 8:28, they become part of the pattern of my life that works for my good and becomes part of who I am. What’s the worst that could happen – well, I could die – but then I would go to heaven – and that’s good. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Moving on – if I am settled that I am accepted and secure, then my other need is to be significant in some way. I want my life to mean something. This is my destiny, my purpose, the great joy of life – that I could make a difference in this world – to someone, to many, who knows how many or in what way?

Do you have it settled that you are fully accepted and secure in Christ? Then you can concentrate on the need for significance. Ask yourself, “With whom am I making a difference?” And before you answer that, remember that the Holy Spirit is our guide in how we do this. After all, sometimes the manner in which we help others is not necessarily healthy – meaning not toward a godly purpose. Sometimes we are not helping, but enabling, such as pacifying others without leading them toward the Lord. If we checked with God first and told him how we propose to help in a certain situation, he might reply, “Now why would you want to do that!!” Better to ask the Holy Spirit up front for guidance on whom to help and in what way.

This is the path to fulfillment – being guided and used of God to touch the lives of others. The call today is for action to use our lives making a difference. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”  (Galatians 6:2) Then, when we pray, we may share our joy with the Lord over what we have done – and he would answer back, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

A good way to start the day – I am going to “Go M-A-D!” – Make-A-Difference!

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

Today’s Word Is MARGIN

Wed-May-13-2020

“Margin is the remedy for people who’ve run out of time, energy, confidence, and courage.” – Tim Kimmel

When you type a document, you have “margins,” because you don’t want to push the text all the way to the edges of the paper. So why do we push ourselves to the edges of our limits? Dr. Richard Swenson wrote a great book entitled Margin to address this issue. One good excuse not to read it would be to say, “I don’t have any free time to read a book that would teach me the importance of free time!”

Here’s a biblical example of the principle … Exodus 18:13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.”

Was the work Moses was doing important? Absolutely! But we can’t do everything! The issue here is not just about resting and Sabbath, it is about overextending ourselves to the point where we live without breathing room. And why do we need some excess space? Because it is in that space that we interact freely with God.

Do you get your work done with time to spare? Do you take time to sit and relax? Do you have unfulfilled dreams waiting while you busy yourself with things that rob you of other things God wants you to enjoy? Do you ignore people because you have too much to do?

Luke 10:38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Our fast-paced world drives us toward overload. And often there are so many things available to us that we can’t resist saying “yes” to more than we can handle. Very often we need to say “no” to something good, so that we can say “yes” to something excellent. This helps to create the “margin” we need for spiritual, emotional, and physical health.

By the way … It sounds like I have this under control in my life … I don’t … It has been one of my greatest struggles … so this devotional thought is also a confession. I need better balance in my life. And I need God’s help with that every day.

Margin is the space between our load and our limits and is related to our reserves and resilience. It is a buffer, a leeway, a gap; the place we go to let God refresh us, to heal, to reflect, to recharge, to focus on the things that matter most. Creating margin for ourselves is a good thing.

Receive a breeze of freshness today,

Chaplain Mark