Call me Martha.

Seasons. I talk and write about seasons almost all the time.

This is because we are always entering in to or preparing to head out of them.
The Lord is constantly preparing us for what is ahead- ordering our steps- and reminding us that He is in control.

Like the waves- Seasons come whether we are ready or not-
They are not something we can pause or rush. They are steady and out of our hands.

I must admit that this current season is one that has brought me to a place of total submission to our Abba Father.
It has been so full and busy- The business seems to never stop!
There have been many nights where my spirit has been exhausted and I have felt cradled by our God.
He has been near and there has been much joy. Growth in times of change.

Many know that I am a list maker. I thrive on lists. I die without them.
In fact, today, I called my best friend and went on and on about what I needed to get done- and we both decided that what I really needed was to go sit at a coffee shop and make some lists and be still.

Two. 2. Two. Hours later- My heart was still. My list was made. I had my plan.

As I zoomed around Birmingham today from one stop to another the Lord brought to my mind two women of the bible.

Mary and Martha.

Instead of summarizing I will just share the scripture with you found in the new testament book of Luke.

"Now as they went 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 then 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


How many read this portion of God's word and took Martha's side?
I know I did.

Martha is doing her job. Getting things done. Being a good hostess. Doing much serving.
Mary is being lazy. Not being of any help. Right?

This is exactly how someone with a heart like Martha would react.

I am the worst of the "Martha's"
Those who know my heart well will know that I get into business mode. Get it done. Work, Work Work
Always busy never still.

Look at the words that were used to describe Martha-
DISTRACTED. ANXIOUS. TROUBLED.

This is so often my heart.

I entered my name into the words spoken by Jesus...
...Amy, Amy, you are anxious and troubled about many things...BUT the ONE thing is necessary...

Now take a look at sister Mary- who chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen.
Jesus said that she had chosen the good portion. She chose to be still. She chose to sit and know Jesus more.

What a thought!
To place Christ and time spent at His feet before my lists and "to-do"s...

So often my precious time with the Lord is the first thing to be forfeited during the activities that life requires.

This should not be so!


I should wake each day with the gospel and Christ on the forefront of my mind and heart-
not the daily to do list.

My flesh relates so much to Martha.
My heart desires so much to be one that is like Mary- Focused on Christ and willing to sit at His feet and be still.


Heavenly Father- How sweet it is to trust that seasons will come and go and you will be constant. Never changing. Thank you for reminding me this day that the most important thing about me is you- and that time spent in Your presence is vital. We live in a world that so desires and encourages us to be like Martha- busy and distracted. You are life and you are my portion. In your presence is fullness and joy. Lord, until I am able to make you my all-in-all, I pray that I am made uncomfortable in my self-sustaining ways. Thank you for your word and the life that comes through it. You are good. Thank you for loving me. Amen.

Oaks of Righteousness

I have found myself in a season of life and a state of the heart where God's word is new- refreshing-vital- and devastating in many ways to the way that I live my life- the ways in which I view our world.

Today the Lord revealed a portion of scripture to me that truly took my breath away. These three monumental verses of God's word encapsulate the current cry of my heart...my burdens. my desires. The calling that I am confident that the Lord has placed on my heart.

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring the good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all those who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."

Isaiah 61:1-3


I found myself seeing faces with each passing phrase...poor, broken hearted, faint in spirit, bound, mourning...

The Lord has been ever putting before my heart the calling to love the broken and to be light in darkness.
I have lost sleep. I have cried. I have been ruined by the need for Christ in the lives of so many.

I am an annoyingly visual person.

When I read this passage-I immediately imagined a dark room full of broken people in shackles-Dirty- without energy- without hope. See this with me- a sea of lost and broken people. Life is of no worth. They are doomed.

What joy would come to them if someone ran into the room and shouted with confidence-
"YOU ARE FREE...YOU ARE PARDONED...You are no longer bound..."

With Christ- We have this power. To look into the eyes of those who do not know Savior and tell them of the powerful and sacrificial love of Jesus.

Oh that the Lord would use me in the lives of others to help them see this truth. The truth.

What an incredible privilege it would be to watch a broken spirit transformed into an oak of righteousness- solely for name sake of Jesus Christ!


Father-
Thank you for reminding me today that it is by Your grace and mercy alone that I am not still in captivity. Praise your name for turning my ashes into beauty for the sake of furthering Your kingdom. Instill in me the boldness and clarity of mind to be intentional in seeking out the faint in spirit and sharing with them the hope that can be found in you. Sweet Jesus- draw me to yourself so that I might make much of you with each day that you allow. You are good and just. Thank you for loving me.