Greetings my Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus. I pray all is well with you and that the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you. I have been enjoying the word so much lately and have been sneaking away when I can just sit at the Lord's feet and listen to what he has to say. I long to lounge with him just as my children lounge with me. Or how my wife longs to lay against me just as John (the disciple Jesus loved as he would say) at The Last Supper.
It has been a great joy to me to be still in the presence of my Father. He takes my anxiety and worries, and He washes me clean and examines my heart. He corrects me, rebukes me, instructs and equips me. He gives me hope for a future and reassures me that I am His. He gives me tips and insights on how to love others. He gives me wisdom and encouragement. He builds me up in His love and restores me.
My brothers and sisters, why have we all become like Martha? Always working, cleaning, cooking, preparing, planning, meeting, organizing, watching TV, hobbies, sports and doomscrolling, whatever it may be. Filling our plates to the point of breaking and when something finally gets completed we immediately fill it back up not realizing that we have made work an idol. In trying to please the Lord we lash out at Mary's, the ones who chose to sit at Jesus' feet.
As it is written, Luke 10:38-42
[38-40] As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.” [41-42] The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”
My dear brothers and sisters, when was the last time you allowed yourself to lounge with the Lord? Not to accomplish anything but to just be His child in His arms letting His love and warmth wash over you?
My dear friends in Christ, when was the last time you were still and submissive enough to let Jesus wash your feet? When was the last time you allowed Him to take care of you as your Father?
I want to share how the Lord has been loving me lately. When I was young, I would go to my Aunt Kathy’s, and I was lavished in love. She would greet me with excitement and joy in her voice, light in her eyes and a shining smile on her face. She would pull me into a deep and loving embrace and shower me with kisses. She made my favorite foods and desserts and would tell me to have as much as I would like. She would draw me a hot bath then dry me off with a big fluffy towel fresh out of the dryer. She dressed me in soft warm clothes and would tuck me into a bed that to me was like it was made from the clouds themselves. My Aunt Kathy has always loved me like that. I will tell you the Lord wants to lavish you in love just like that! Except His love is infinite and perfect! Allow your Heavenly Father to be your Father and take care of His child. When you are loved like that you can love like that.
My dear ones in our Lord we must honor the Lord! He gives us 6 days of the week to do what we need to do. Is it really too much to rest with him for a day?
As it is written, Exodus 20:8-11
[8-11] Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don’t do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.
Pray with me church. I can only imagine how much greater we could shine the light of Christ If His lights were fully charged! Think of how much more effective, efficient, energized and engaged we would be if we actually rested in the Lord! Imagine if all God's people prepared for and honored the sabbath. Do you know what you are saying to God when you say, “I have cleared my schedule, and my phone is off. The house is quiet, and the car is not moving. I'm not going anywhere, and you have my complete undivided attention. I am here I am present I am yours.”
CHURCH, do you see the possibility that if we as God's people honor the sabbath all will benefit? Stores wouldn’t need to be open on Saturday or Sunday because there would not be any business to do because people are worshiping the Lord! I know it seems impossible to be free of this busy work culture, but everything is possible for those who believe! Let's show the world the Joys of being His by being His!
2 Corinthians 13:14
[14] The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.
Blessings,
Pastor Dakota Swinton