All My Ducks In A Row...

College is a weird thing. You come to school,build a new home, new relationships, and really a new life. Then for four months you live this other life, completely away from the one life... Then you go back to this one life for another year! And this all comes to a culmination at the end of the school year, every year! If you've ever been in college you know that the end of the semester brings a lot of stress, sometimes more than needed. And I'm sure far too often much of it is self inflicted. Nonetheless, I'm feeling it! There is an overwhelming feeling of anxiety, stress and worry, and an urgency to not waste any time but to keep going!

In all of this it's easy to let the important things fall by the wayside. For me it's forgetting to take the time to sit in silence and just spend time with God in peace. The other day, God reminded me just how desperately I was in need of this time of peace. So I took my Bible, and coffee and spent some time outside, enjoying the lovely Phoenix weather. During this time, God reminded me of this passage:  

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” {Luke 10:38-42}

I love this story... ironically. Because far too often my life looks like this, and not in a good way. Also, I love that Martha rebukes Jesus. Not because it's what we should do, but it is something we do far too often. Between school, my summer plans, and my future as a whole, I've been so distracted, anxious and troubled. I've been so focused about getting my ducks in a row... So focused trying to control everything. I've allowed these distracting thoughts to sneak in and take over my life. My soul is longing for time with God, and my spirit is needing to be filled desperately. And instead of filling it, I'm depriving it!

In this story, Jesus tells Martha "but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42). Jesus uses the word "necessary", so whatever this "good portion" is must be essential in her relationship with Jesus. Psalm 16:5 says,"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot."  It is clear that this good portion is Jesus. And how true is this. Isaiah 26:3 says "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." When we trust God, and seek Him, only then will be find this peace and rest.

I am a controlaholic. I continuously try to control my life, schedule and future, and I find the most peace when I know that everything is organized, and all my ducks are in a row. The problem is, control is something that will never fulfill, it is something fleeting.

Today I'm choosing the good portion, the only one who will fulfill and give real peace.

Maybe for you it's not control. But I would encourage you to consider what you are trying to fill your life with? What are you being distracted by?