"She had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he
said." Luke 10:39 NLT
We vowed we'd remain the best of friends, but distance was fighting against us.
We attended church together, worked with the youth together, and ate at each
other's house almost every Saturday night. David and Lisa were our best friends.
Then one day, we received shocking news. They were moving. Lisa was from Denver,
Colorado-almost clear across the United States. She and David had met when he
settled there after helping a friend move. They had moved back to South Carolina
for him, his brother, and a cousin to begin a construction business. Now the
Denver National Airport-where he once worked, was offering him a job. We
promised each other distance wouldn't separate us.
Initially, the calls were frequent. They even flew us out two times for a week
of visiting. Then the calls became more infrequent. We each got busy with our
lives, and voicemail messages became more common than actual conversations. Once
a month conversations are now the norm. Even then, it's not the same. Presence
is missing. Tech conversations can't replace an actual body and time spent
together.
Martha and Lazarus had a sister named Mary who had her priorities in order. She
could hear stories about Jesus, she could even busy herself serving Him as her
sister was doing, or she could simply revel in His presence. She chose the
latter. This would nurture her relationship with Him more than anything else.
What Mary knew, I've had to learn as well. I can busy myself serving God in any
number of capacities. Opportunities to do good abound. But the doing can't
replace what happens when I simply choose to sit in His presence. As I sit, I
may pray, read His Word, meditate, or simply listen for Him to speak to my
Spirit, but the key is just reveling in His presence.
Getting alone with God is essential for spiritual health just as experiencing
presence is necessary for friendships to develop and grow. Having a plan, a
time, and a place ensures we'll not neglect the power found from remaining in
His Presence.
Prayer: Father, May staying in Your presence where we can be taught, loved, and
nurtured be our goal.
Martin Wiles Hodges, South Carolina, USA
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