DAILY BYTE
Live beyond the boxes by being open.
Work and responsibilities are part and parcel of everyday life. However, sometimes our endless busyness and responsibilities lead us to forget what is truly important in life. For example, we can be so busy rushing about earning our daily bread that we forget God has also called us to share our daily bread with others.
Being open to giving generously to others is a call that includes but also surpasses the sharing of actual physical food. It means opening our lives to others through the giving of our time, energy, emotions and friendship.
One noticeable thing about Jesus is how much time he took out from the busyness of his life and ministry just to develop relationships with others. This is powerfully seen in the story of Mary and Martha (today’s focus reading).
Martha reacts to Jesus’ visit very responsibly and sets about getting cleaning and cooking. She becomes annoyed with her sister Mary for sitting back and enjoying Jesus’ company rather than helping her out. So she asks Jesus to speak to Mary and send her to work.
Many of us who are responsible and hard working find ourselves naturally siding with Martha. However, in this case Jesus speaks out for Mary, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
As we head into another busy year, live beyond the boxes by slowing down and taking time out to spend working on relationships. Not only relationships with existing family and friends but also to be open to totally new connections.
If the general busyness of life leads many to feeling very lonely and isolated, then perhaps the greatest gift you could give another is just to develop a friendship with them. Look out for those in around us who most often are left alone, like the elderly or poor.
Live beyond the boxes by not blindly following the rush of society and instead be open enough to slow down and reach out.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord, we confess that we often allow important relationships and other priorities to slip up in our rush to get everything done. Help us to be open to others always and everywhere. Help us to take the time out for family and loved ones. Help us to also take the time to connect with those we don’t normally even notice – strangers, the elderly, and the poor. In the name of Jesus who always made time even for the very least in his society. Amen.
FOCUS READING
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
