I think the following words found in Luke 10 are so comforting when the negative swells like a balloon around our necks or in us.

“The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”—Luke 10:41-42 (NRSV)

When I read these words by “The Lord”, I am reminded that faith and deeds are the knots tied together for success not knots of stress in my stomach. I read a day of rest in the midst of deeds preformed by or because of faith is the vitamin in my spiritual regime.

When I think of sisters complaining about one another I get it. I grew up with five (5). I think they all joined the choir of sing song about me.

When I contemplate, “the better part”, I am convinced the better part for God’s children are when each one finds themself in their sweet spot. The place God ordained for them when He planned their earth tour. He also gave instruction while living out our gifting, our sweet spot. The top of instructions do not mummer, complain, gossip, backbite. In other words control the tongue for success. Here are a few instructions out of many others:

1.  Philippians 2:13-15 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

2. James 5:9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

3. 1 Peter 4:8-10 Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins. Welcome each other as guests without complaining. Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others.

I hear the most compassionate tone in the love words spoken to beloved Martha by her Lord. The question is, do I hear the voice of the Lord when He speaks to me? Am I enjoying the ride? Or, use my rest ride day to complain about others?

Photo by JM

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.”

‭‭(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

A wise man pen these words so long ago we would term then ancient/eons years ago! Yet, we are told, “Wisdom was a popular genre in the ancient world.” I began to wonder is Wisdom popular in modern culture? We often claim so. These very Words of Ecclesiastes penned by a person of Wisdom is often read at ceremonies or gatherings to delight the emotions of the moment.

Why am I doubting my belief in these words? My mind and actions answer before words appear. When a long awaited “something” good happens and I like it. I having muttering thoughts, why so long, I know it’s someone else’s fault I’v missed all this good, etc etc. How often have I stopped to say, “the timing is right?”

Or a “can’t get what I want when I want” I pause to say thank you God for this season/timing when not right for me to have my yearning fleshly desires NOW? I might put a patch on my spiritual wisdom eye and go it alone to prove I can.

Scholars disagree about the themes of Ecclesiastes: whether it is positive and life-affirming, or deeply pessimistic;…What do you think? Does your actions show your belief? I think even using a sliding grade still shows I fail often.

I grew up with this teaching, What messes us up most in life is the picture in our head of how we think it’s suppose to be.

“…be aglow with the Spirit,..” Romans 12:11 (RSVA)

Photo by Chris M, Hawaii

“Set Sail in 2020.” (My goal) Set your finest dining table and invite others in. A friend told me she was desiring community last week and she set sail. She invited three friends for dinner and asked them to each bring a guest not a pie or sugar cookie. (Acknowledging not an easy feat for them) She saw community in this because she knew it would be various cultures, ages and interest. She showcased a beautiful yet simple table. I saw pint jars with a few garden flowers. They were grocery store bundles as cold and snow in her area was not quiet ready to yield to blooms. Her husband gave freely to prepare the food and then slipped away to prepare his sails. This new community start-up left them all feeling invigorating and hopeful.

Psalm 107

23 Some of you set sail in big ships; you put to sea to do business in faraway ports. 

24 Out at sea you saw God in action, saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean: 

25 With a word he called up the wind – an ocean storm, towering waves! 

26 You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out; your hearts were stuck in your throats. 

27 You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk, you didn’t know which end was up. 

28 Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. 

29 He quieted the wind down to a whisper, put a muzzle on all the big waves. 

30 And you were so glad when the storm died down, and he led you safely back to harbor. 

31 So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. 

32 Lift high your praises when the people assemble, shout Hallelujah when the elders meet!

Yes, I want to set sail in 2020 as “community” …dictionary meaning of community… Ecclesiastical. a group of men or women leading a common life according to a rule.

Verses 42-43 of Psalm 107 ends with results of using The Rule for community…

“Good people see this and are glad;
    bad people are speechless, stopped in their tracks.
If you are really wise, you’ll think this over—
    it’s time you appreciated God’s deep love.”

“THE ADVENT journey reminds us that we cannot take the light for granted. Christ is near, and God partners with us, makes covenant with us, and asks us to respond to the light that has come into the world. We may not have to move far, but God does ask us to move, to be bold enough to step out on faith and seek the light.”—Todd Outcalt, Blue Christmas

Continue reading “Christ(mas) The Light”