Lost In Jesus
Stories
Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit
Series V, Cycle C
Object:
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But 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." (vv. 38-42)
A woman allegedly went into a Thrifty drugstore in Beverly Hills for an ice cream cone. While she was ordering, another customer entered the store, but the woman was unconcerned and paid no attention to him.
However, after she placed her order, she turned and found herself face to face with Paul Newman. Her eyes met his deep blue eyes. Her heart pounded and her knees buckled. She was speechless.
Stunned, she slid her payment to the cashier, grabbed her change, and quickly left the store somewhat embarrassed. Outside, she caught her breath and realized she didn't have her ice cream cone. She turned to go back in and met Paul Newman at the door. He said to her, "Are you looking for your ice cream cone?"
Still unable to utter a word, she nodded yes.
He replied, "You put it in your purse with your change."
When was the last time the presence of God made you forget what was going on around you? Made you forget the dishes? Made you forget the ball game? Made you forget the bank account? Made you forget where you put the ice cream cone?
My prayer is that God's presence will change us -- will cause us to forget our busyness and restructure our lives. The key to the Christian life lies with our priorities: Jesus Christ first -- a living, growing, learning relationship. Then everything else.
The only way to really learn God's way and will is to spend some time every day, "sitting at the feet of Jesus." Let us fall to our knees at the feet of Jesus. Let us get lost in brotherly love with Christ as we learn his way to live. It is the better part.
(Charles Swindoll, Laugh Again [Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 1992], p. 126)
A woman allegedly went into a Thrifty drugstore in Beverly Hills for an ice cream cone. While she was ordering, another customer entered the store, but the woman was unconcerned and paid no attention to him.
However, after she placed her order, she turned and found herself face to face with Paul Newman. Her eyes met his deep blue eyes. Her heart pounded and her knees buckled. She was speechless.
Stunned, she slid her payment to the cashier, grabbed her change, and quickly left the store somewhat embarrassed. Outside, she caught her breath and realized she didn't have her ice cream cone. She turned to go back in and met Paul Newman at the door. He said to her, "Are you looking for your ice cream cone?"
Still unable to utter a word, she nodded yes.
He replied, "You put it in your purse with your change."
When was the last time the presence of God made you forget what was going on around you? Made you forget the dishes? Made you forget the ball game? Made you forget the bank account? Made you forget where you put the ice cream cone?
My prayer is that God's presence will change us -- will cause us to forget our busyness and restructure our lives. The key to the Christian life lies with our priorities: Jesus Christ first -- a living, growing, learning relationship. Then everything else.
The only way to really learn God's way and will is to spend some time every day, "sitting at the feet of Jesus." Let us fall to our knees at the feet of Jesus. Let us get lost in brotherly love with Christ as we learn his way to live. It is the better part.
(Charles Swindoll, Laugh Again [Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 1992], p. 126)
