My Dad is critically ill, quite possibly very near the end of his life according to those medical personnel who care for him. Throughout Wednesday, he dozed, aware that I was with him, but only responsive to me part of the time. I spent a large part of the 24 hours just sitting, waiting for him to need a sip of water, to be lifted to a new position, or just to hold his hand until he settled himself to the doze once again! The fact is that I don't do 'wait' well. In fact, most of the time, I am doing several things at the same time. But, that is simply not possible while sitting waiting for Dad to need me. Yesterday, as I prayed and waited, I realized that despite being in a situation that is terribly stressful, I was more peaceful than I am many days while working in my church office. Yes, there were moments of emotion, times quiet tears fell but there was no sense of the rush, hurry, or pressure that is so often a part of my life.
I believe that the Lord has used this experience to reveal something to me about being a better disciple of Christ Jesus. How much of the urgency, tension, and stress levels that I endure as a busy Pastor are self inflicted? How much has my failure to wait on the Lord resulted in my attempting to do many things that either need not be done, or which could be done with less wear and tear on me and everyone around me? Taking the time to 'wait' for Him to lead is not the same as wasting time. It is focused attention on God, which is the heart of worship! Sounds like a story from the Gospels, doesn't it? It's familiar, but read again. Don't skim through the next few lines.
"As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her." (Luke 10:38-42, The Message)
One of the benefits of being a Christian is the promise of that the"peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NIV) The promise is not just about an absence of conflict as we would commonly understand the word 'peace.' It is about living a life of wholeness; unlike the scattered, fragmented lives of distraction we so often lead, that comes to the disciple who has learned to patiently wait for the Lord.
So, how do we come to wait on Him; to chose the 'best thing that is essential' as Mary did?
The key is found in the most basic Scriptural directive for disciples: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" (Luke 10:27, NIV) Please note this is not about just acting like we love Him; this is truly loving Him - more than ourselves, our families, our homes, our investments, our pleasures, our reputation, our money, our security.
Let me illustrate what love will do for the waiting disciple from my experience over the last few months in caring for my Dad. Sitting in Dad's living room, watching him sleep, listening for his soft, whispery voice, waiting for the opportunity to turn him or get him a drink of water is not burdensome for reason - I love him! I don't huff and sigh. I don't force a smile on my face. Love turns what most would see as a drudgery or as boring into a most significant and fulfilling act of loving service. Once again, don't nominate me for a halo, just yet. Fatigue sets in and part of me says, "It would be more fun to go and do something else right now." But, then when I choose to love, I find joy!
Are you stressed out, fragmented, and under the gun today?
Do you really love your Lord? Then, take this instruction for disciples to heart. As you read it, fill in your name.
"Only one thing is necessary. ______has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from him/her." (Luke 10:42, CEV) Then, tell Him you're standing by, waiting for the opportunity to serve Him and others joyfully, for love's sake. You'll find that having such a centered focus, pulls you back together and changes the way you live this day. It's His promise!
________________________
When the world that I've been living in
Collapses at my feet,
When my life is shattered and torn,
Tho' I'm windswept and battered,
I can cling to His cross and find
peace in the midst of my storm.
When in twenty-four short hours,
years of living are brought to moments,
And when life's final picture is taking form,
In the dark-room of my suff'ring,
There's a Light comes shining through;
He gives me peace
In the midst of my storm.
There is peace in the midst
Of my storm-tossed life.
Oh, there's an Anchor,
There's a Rock,
To cast my faith upon.
Jesus rides in my vessel,
So I'll fear no alarm.
He gives me peace
In the midst of my storm.
Peace in the Midst of the Storm
Stephen Adams© 1978, 1981 Pilot Point Music (Lillenas [Admin. by The Copyright Company]) CCLI License No. 810055
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