This morning I awoke to the thousands of tasks on my to-do list running through my head.

     - Do the laundry (but go get quarters first).

     - Wash the dishes before my roommate gets home.

     - Clean my room.. again.

Now I know I have a tendency to let my devotional time with God slide during the busier times of my life. In fact, I admit it's often the first thing to go. But this morning, I imagined God saying to me "Martha..." and so I was determined to NOT crowd God out in my hectic schedule. So I did what any normal slightly-type-A Christian would do. I added "Do my devotions" to my mental checklist of things to do. (And in the interest of being open and honest with you, I have to admit I also added "Blog about how I almost crowded God out but didn't today" as if He were finished teaching me!)

So, very proud of myself for not skipping my devotions this morning, I reached for my Bible. I started reading. And then I heard God's voice saying exactly what I had imagined Him saying earlier - "Martha..."

I thought, "God, I'm reading my Bible! I'm DOING my devotions! I'm sitting here at Your feet, aren't I?" And yet He is still saying to me, "Martha..."

Stop checking Me off your to-do list.

He sees my heart, and He is not fooled. Reading my Bible is not the same thing as sitting in the presence of Jesus, at His feet, and forgetting about the rest of the world. Of course that's important... but all too often I think I turn it into another thing I should accomplish. Lord, forgive me. Let me come sit at Your feet.

 

From one humbled servant to another, consider this a challenge: Steal away today for some time at the feet of your Lord. Forget about the laundry, the dishes, the lunch, the room that needs cleaned... forget about checking "devotions" off your to-do list. Jesus is better.