Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:38-42

It is no secret that I have been struggling the past few days. I wrote about it yesterday, and even today, a great day happening and unfolding, I am still struggling to keep my mind from sinking into a depression. I have been sick, so that has not helped, and I have had a bout of writer’s block, which also does not help. I went back on the Facebook for the first time yesterday, in about a month. I don’t think that helped either.

Just like Martha, I am anxious and worried about things. I have many things to be anxious about, and numerous things that I can be worried about in my life. All of which have significance, and all of which have merit, but the being anxious and worried part does not. I have no real reason to be worried or anxious, because, if I truly let God be in control, then I know I am in good hands. Well, there is that human nature of mine again, creeping in. I am worried an anxious over things that are out of my control, and here I am trying to control them again. There is that word, the one that has crept up in seemingly endless conversations this week, and most importantly in my life. Control. It is something that I always want to have, but I know I can not.

I have heard it all week long. I have had conversations with people about control. Taking control of a career, or path, or whatever you want to put into the conversation. All around the control. Really, it is not about the control. We can not control the future, the wind, or anyone else, but the person we are. It really is about the choices we have in our lives. Just like Martha, I can continue to move about my daily life, struggling with all the day to day chores, or I can take a moment like Mary, to just listen. Listen to the messages that are being sent to me from God, and letting those messages guide my choices.

There is something to be said about choices in life. Choices coming from love, they multiply faster than rabbits do. Choices coming from hatred, well, they only end in destruction of the human soul. I can only pray that everyone can learn to hear the calling of Jesus today. I want them to hear His mighty voice, and help to stop the hatred that is separating us as a whole. The enemy wants separation, because just like with a flock of sheep, it is easier to pick off the prey that stray away.  I hope that everyone understands, this is what the devil wants, for us to be segregated and feel estranged by our own neighbors.

Heavenly Father, we all need you now more than ever. Help us to be more like Mary, to stop and listen to what you are saying to us. Help us to make the choices we have everyday, our of love, and not out of hatred. Help us to be closer and better neighbors to each other, and help us to be strengthened together by you, and not be separated from you. Amen.