Words to Grow On

Archive Devotions

May 3, 2004

“Too Busy”

By:

Charlene Scheibner

“Make yourselves at home in my love.
If you keep my commands, you’ll remain
intimately at home in my love.”

John 15:9-10 (The Message)

As a wife of an active Salvation Army bandsman and a member of a corps (church) that is steeped in Salvation Army banding tradition, it has been our privilege to host members of visiting bands, providing lodging, meals for our guests at our home and to share in pleasant fellowship. We have hosted people from all over the world, who are bound together in the same passion for ministry through Salvation Army banding.

As my husband and I begin our hospitality tasks, we approach the evening as complete opposites. I become very busy with household tasks and preparing the meal to perfection. The house is spotless, special recipes are found and special little touches are added to the guest bedroom. Before our guests even arrive, I am running around doing my chores and busy in the tasks that will make our guests’ stay enjoyable. I run even more as the guests arrive.

On the other hand, my husband prefers to sit and converse with our guests. He wants to learn all about them and the ministries they have in their home corps and band. He is a very good listener and the conversation is always flowing and about our guests.

With three children, a house full of guests and the dog underfoot, I sometimes become agitated to see my husband just sitting and talking while I am busy getting things ready. When he sees that I am totally exasperated, he reminds me that I am permitting all of my busy work to get in the way of getting to know my guests.

The Scripture records the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-41), sisters who were two complete opposites. Jesus often went to the hospitable home of Mary and Martha in Bethany. It was here that Jesus found refreshment and fellowship with friends. Martha was “cumbered about much serving,” as she probably found herself getting the house ready and preparing the food for Jesus’ visit. On the other hand, Mary loved to sit and listen to Jesus. She pondered all the truths that Jesus would tell her. This agitated Martha and she begged Jesus to ask Mary to help her. Jesus knew that all that Martha was doing was for Him, however, her busy work was hindering her from allowing her own spirituality to grow.

Our Father in Heaven gives us many opportunities to open our home to one who is part of our greater family (the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ) so that we might receive all that He has in store for us. Are you too busy becoming the perfect Christian to allow the blessings of Christ to reach you? Is your involvement in doing good for others, hindering your own spirituality to grow?

Jesus wants you to spend time with Him, getting to know Him and allowing yourself to open your heart and mind to the truths He will reveal to you.

I leave you with the words of William Dunn Longstaff:

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His word;
Make friends of God's children;

help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide,
And run not before Him whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each

motive beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.