Southern California sunsets are some of the most magnificent sights in all of the world. The way the sky lights up with a multitude of colors as the day meets the night is proof that there is a loving and creative God. But have you ever noticed how quickly the beauty fades? If you don’t catch the sunset at just the right time you might not even know it existed. There is a hunger with which the night chases after the day and that brief moment when the sun is setting is nothing short of a miracle. But if we don’t pause to notice it we might just miss it.
Each week I get to interact with a variety of people all desiring to grow closer to God and deeper in their faith and the number one hindrance to developing this relationship is…time. Kids have sports, jobs require insane hours, household responsibilities are insurmountable. Each day they are just trying to squeeze in enough hours to connect with the people they love. Setting aside time for silence and solitude, rest and sabbath, or time in God’s word can feel impossible. It is a challenge that has plagued humanity throughout history. It feels like a complex problem but the truth is the answer is simple.
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! ‘Martha, Martha’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one” Matthew 10:38-42
Martha had what so many of us want - time alone with Jesus - and she wasted it. She became so overwhelmed with the tasks of life that she forgot to stop and see the beauty of the moment that was right in front of her. In her frustration she chastised Mary asking Jesus why he wasn’t frustrated with her for lingering quietly at his side. And his response to her was as simple as it was profound: “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one”. Jesus was reminding Martha to stop, to find rest and to bask in the presence of Christ.
I know that we live in a world that requires so much of us - sometimes it feels like more than we can give. But finding time to sit at Jesus’ feet and soak up his compassion, his love and his precious words to us is an integral part of our faith. It starts with a changed heart, one that stems from our purposeful relationship with Christ rather than one that forces him to fit into the chaos of our day. Jesus is present with us in every moment, but, much like the fleeting beauty of a sunset, if we don’t pause to notice him we might just miss it.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30