There was a time you enjoyed your relationship with the Lord. You allowed His presence to daily envelope you. It was never a drudgery or a chore. You enjoyed and even guarded your sacred time with Him. You didn’t constantly look at your watch or phone. You tuned out all distractions. And, cares? Well, you took them all to the one who could actually do something about them.
But, lately you’ve grown distant. It’s become difficult to manage a few quiet moments in your day, and your end of the prayer line has fallen silent more days than you care to admit. Could it be you’ve somehow misplaced your joy? Could it be that you’ve allowed what was a pleasure to become a burden?
God wired us to be fruitful and multiply, but He also wired us for a Sabbath. A time when we ceased our work and rested. For Christians this rest is our ceasing from the works of the flesh, but have we allowed one form of work to displace the other, thus robbing us of our joy and fulfillment? So busy about our “Father’s Business” that we seldom spend time with the Father?
Mary and Martha were 2 sisters who hosted a luncheon in honor of Jesus. But, while Martha was preoccupied with the entertainment of the affair, her seemingly distant sister Mary was found at the feet of Christ. When Martha challenged Christ on this, He stated that Mary had made the better choice choosing to spend time with Him.
There will always be duties and obligations, work and chores to do, but never allow time with the one who loves you the most to become a chore. Choose to be joyful. Reward yourself and your weary spirit time with the source of all sustained joy, Jesus. The joy of the Lord is your strength. This joy is indescribable and full of Glory. This joy can’t be taken away, but it can be forfeited. So guard it, protect it, and nurture it. I pray for your joy in the Lord today and every day.
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Serminutes - Sermon in a Minute 