Have you ever seen a show on hoarders where people have so many things, their house is full? I got to experience what was like when one of my relatives died. When we went to clean out the house, there were so many things in there that there were only trails throughout the house. Once we got the house cleaned out, there were several other buildings on the property full of items floor to ceiling in them without trails. All the things he thought mattered were either sold, recycled or trashed by us. You and I may not be hoarders in that sense, but chances are that our house is full. Look in the closet, the garage or the bedrooms. How does your calendar look? Is there space in these places for what really matters?
In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus stopped by a friend’s house along with His disciples. Martha, who owned the home, got busy trying to clean it up to make room and also cooking in order to feed everyone. Her sister Martha decided to sit and listen to Jesus teach. Martha began to mumble under her breath and give Mary looks to try to get her help cleaning up, but Mary wouldn’t budge. Finally, Martha told Jesus to make Mary help her. Jesus replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her” (AMP). Martha wasn’t doing what really mattered because her home was cluttered. Mary created space for what really did mattered it was to her advantage.
In Matthew 6:6 Jesus said, “But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.” Do you have space in your cluttered life to meet Jesus in private away from all the mess and distractions? Are you worried, anxious and bothered about things that won’t matter for eternity? In our full lives and homes, we must make space for Jesus. We need to give Him the attention He deserves rather than a passing thought or 5 second prayer when we need something. If your life is frazzled and it feels like things are falling apart, it’s time to make space on our calendar and in our home so we can choose the good thing of spending quality time with Jesus.
Photo by Guilherme Stecanella on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 