Can't take that away from me!

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. (Luke 10:40)

If ever there was a time of year to be distracted by all the preparations that had to be made, Christmas is it, isn’t it?  Shopping, cooking, wrapping, repeat.  Not to mention all the extra events to celebrate the festive season, like work ‘Holiday’ parties, socials and family gatherings.

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

Martha and her sister Mary were hosting a dinner for Jesus.  Martha, even though she may not have loved the cooking and preparing, did it because it needed to be done. Meanwhile, her sister sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to all he had to say.

It wasn’t long before Martha started chirping about her sister to Jesus.

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (vs 40)

I can totally see myself doing that!  And what does Jesus say? 

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (vs. 41,42)

In other words, “Martha what you are doing is wonderful, thank you, but what Mary is doing is also important.  In fact, putting aside the distractions and focusing on me is the most important thing.”

Here’s the thing. I get Martha. I not only understand her, I really appreciate her because if not for Martha, there would be no food!

So, is Jesus saying that everyone should stop what they are doing and do nothing but focus on Him? There would be some very hungry people! No, but Jesus is saying that focusing on Him, learning from Him and worshipping Him should be the most important thing we can do.  

So, I figured out how to do both.  While going about my everyday tasks I continue to worship God.  For instance, while doing the task of cooking and baking for the season, I put on music that glorifies God. It’s interesting that the food always tastes better when I do that!  While cleaning bathrooms or vacuuming, I pray. God doesn’t care if I am talking to him while cleaning a toilet. I just talk to God. 

Just pray.

Just sing.

Just listen for God. As you do, your faith will grow and no one can take that from you.

We have much that will distract us this Christmas season, but if we are deliberate and determined to put God first, we can do that no matter where we are and no matter what we do. 

So let’s choose what is better, for it will not be taken away from us!

Making Room

It is officially the Christmas season!  Lights are up in the neighbourhood. The Toronto Christmas Market is in full swing.  And have I mentioned the Hallmark Christmas movies? No other signs needed.

On Sunday we began a series called Packing Light.  Check it out on the website.

We are talking about getting rid of the things that weigh us down and distract us from what Christmas is really about.  Essentially, we are encouraged to clean house (figuratively and literally) to make room for Jesus.

It’s so easy at this time of year to lose focus on what is important. We tend to think more about what we need to be happy, rather than the multitude ways we have been blessed. So often we come to Christmas from a place of lack. We ask our kids what they want for Christmas and we make wish lists of our own. We worry about having enough money to get everyone the gifts we’ve imagined they so desperately want.

We do all of this in celebration of the birth of Jesus, who had nearly nothing—not even a proper place to be born. Yet we proclaim this child to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Clearly there is more to Christmas than the gifts we exchange. It is the gift we receive in Christ.

The baby with “nothing” is the hope for the world.

So, here are some questions:

• What do you want for Christmas? 

• Where do you sense lack? 

• How will you refocus your attention on the hope found in Jesus Christ?

• How will you make room for hope this Christmas?

Dumb things Christians say!

It was wonderful having Mike Gordon from Youth for Christ with us this past Sunday. His story about his time in hospital provoked some serious conversations.

Mike shared with us some dumb things that Christians say.  Honestly, in my lifetime I’ve heard it all!  And with great regret I have surely said them too.

 I’ve heard people say to me thing like:

“God won’t give you more than you can handle.” 

“Everything happens for a reason.”

“Love the sinner, hate the sin.” 

 Oh, and so many more.

 So often these things are said with good, even loving intentions but the damage to the receiver can be catastrophic.  

 I remember a young mom who just lost her child being told that, “God needed another angel in heaven.”  Why would someone say that?  Why would someone say that our all-powerful Heavenly Father took their child away from them, on purpose, for His needs, not caring what it did to them?  

 Imagine what that would do to the grieving family’s understanding of God.  And if they didn’t believe in God (or even a version of God sufficiently similar to yours), it would be the equivalent of saying “Santa needed another elf in his workshop.” Who would say that?  Nobody.

 The reality is that at some time or another, in the middle of our pain or struggle, some well meaning Christian will say something dumb. It may even be me, and I apologize in advance! But here is what I hope we will all remember:

 God is God. God is Truth.

 Human’s, even Christians (or rather, particularly Christians), make mistakes and say some pretty dumb things.  My prayer for you and for me is that we would remember the character of God, the Grace of God, and the love of God before internalizing clichés said by people who want to help.

As we get to know our God better it matters not what others say.  The truth is found in who God is. And God LOVES you!