Spend time with God
By Steve Nailor
Brothers in Christ, I write to you today with a heavy and deeply concerned heart. The last three weeks have brought one global tragedy after another. My prayers and thoughts go out to all those who have lost loved ones or who had someone injured.
In Luke 10: 38-42, Jesus is invited to the home of Martha and Mary to share a meal. He comes in and makes himself at home in the living room. Jesus––as only Jesus can do–– begins talking with them. Martha leaves the discussion to check on the details of the meal. Mary, on the other hand, sits with Jesus and listens to his teaching. Martha gets upset with Mary and she asks Jesus to tell Mary that she should come and help her. The Lord answers, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary, Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.”
If you had an opportunity to sit with Jesus and enjoy a meal with him, what would you want Jesus to teach you? Mary was in the moment with him and listened to his every word. How is your time being spent with Jesus? Do you have a quiet time with him or do you tell yourself, “I just don’t have time, I am too busy.” Too busy doing what? What can be more important than strengthening your relationship with our Lord? Are you taking time daily to be with our Lord and Savior?
I can just hear Jesus telling Martha to order a pizza and come and join them. “Come here and sit with us and hear the living word that will last forever. The meal will keep but my time with you is limited; please join us.”
Paul tells us (I Thessalonians 5:16-21): “Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t suppress the Spirit. Don’t brush off Spirit-inspired messages, but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good.”
Have you pushed your time with God to the curb because you don’t have the time or you don’t want to take the time? We are in devastating and scary times in our world and country. Take time for Jesus and hear Paul’s words: “Don’t suppress the Spirit. Listen for it and share it with others.”
May God’s love overcome evil in our world.
Steve Nailor, president
National Association of Conference Presidents