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Too Full?

This past Sunday night I had the opportunity to speak for our not so regular Plugged In service. Like most times I am tasked with speaking for a service, I find the preparation exciting, yet difficult at the same time. I really struggled with this particular message - most likely because it really hit home with me. In Luke 10:38-42 you can read about the story of Jesus visiting the home of Mary and Martha. Many are probably familiar with this story. I, too, am familiar with the story but had not really looked at it from the perspective I chose to share with the group on Sunday night. Looking at this story, we know that Martha was very preoccupied with the
preparation surrounding the visit of Jesus. Jewish tradition and social requirements of the time dictated that Martha open her home to Jewish guests that might be traveling through the area. In this case, it happened to be Jesus, which must have surely raised the stakes for Martha. It's possible that she had been preparing long before Jesus even arrived at her home and then when he did arrive, she scurried around the house making sure things were clean, food was prepared and served, drinks were filled, etc. Yet all this time, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to Him as he spoke. I can imagine how Martha might have felt - not understanding how Mary could just sit there and not help do her duties! Having had enough, Martha finally bursts at the seams and asks Jesus how Mary can just sit there and listen without even helping! Jesus explains to Martha that Mary is right where she needs to be and that she has chosen what is better.
How often do we choose what is better? Our lives have become so full of what we have deemed is important: work, television, sports, entertainment, etc. We have become so busy with what society has dictated to us as being "important" and the result is a life that is too full for God. The irony of it all is that a life that is too full for God is ultimately a life that is empty. Satan works hard to convince us that everything else in this world is more important that God, promises us fulfillment, happiness, pleasure and joy. Without fail, the result is always dissatisfaction, sorrow and pain. There is only one way for us to truly be fulfilled and that is when we are within the will of God. John 10:10 says "the thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus Christ) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Are you walking within the will of God? Is God asking you to get rid of something in your life to make room for Him? Is it time to give up the things you think are important in order for God to start to use you as He desires?

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