This past year the father of one of my friends died. My friend shared with me that in the time they spent together as death approached, he asked his father, “Is there anything you need to do?”
What a kind and wise question to ask a loved parent in the twilight of life—to be there to help him do whatever needs to be done to rest in peace. We all want to know our lives mattered and that we finished up the tasks, the calling, and, if possible, all we were created to do before we leave this earth. We may not be able to finish those things alone and the offer to help seemed incredibly insightful and caring.
As I thought about it in the days that followed, I realized that it’s an important question for all of us to ask ourselves and those we love. As the New Year is about to start, it’s an especially good time to do that. As many of us make resolutions at this time, we ought to take time to make worthwhile ones.
What is it we need to do?
Jesus has an answer. The question isn’t new. Life has always been busy, always pushing and pulling in many directions. Long ago, Jesus gave us this answer on one busy day with friends, as Luke tells us in his gospel:
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (NIVUK)
The one needful thing in life, what we all need to do, is spend time with Jesus.
So simple, but so difficult because like Martha, we are often “worried and upset about many things.” Often they aren’t “bad” things, after all Martha was busy about serving Jesus. But even as she was doing service for Him, she wasn’t paying attention to Him.
Attention to Jesus starts by time in His Word, reading it, listening to it, thinking about it discussing it. The world is so loud with its demands, messages, entertainment and empty noise. If we want worthwhile dreams to fill our hearts and minds we’ve got to intentionally fill it with God’s Word.
That’s why his year and every year I pray that all the people I teach in my Sunday School classes and everyone who creates communications will daily read the Bible through so that we’ll learn to think like Jesus thinks, to know what matters to Him, to understand how He would respond to the events of life. More than simply reading to learn the content, history and facts (though all that is important), read it through to see the heart of your Creator, Savior, Forgiver, and Lord.
As a church communicator this is especially important because you speak for your Lord and you want to represent Him correctly. Our world today in many ways is exciting and wonderful--but we often need wisdom outside it to communicate effectively.
If we do spend time with Him, most likely He’ll make clear some things He wants done this year. As you listen, ask yourself:
- What is it that you need to do to make your life focused on the one thing that is needful?
- What is it you need to do to care more deeply for those you love?
- What do you need to do to serve more fully those who have needs?
- What is it you need to do for Jesus, this year, for it to be a year obediently lived?
His answers may involve some difficulty. We always want to take the easy path—but like any path, if you take the easy, level road, you’ll miss the view available only after an exhausting climb. If you don’t focus on Jesus in the coming year, chances are your life will be easier, but easy, fun, and comfortable are rarely God’s descriptions of the lives of those who counted the most for Him.
Not just the coming year, but every year the path of our life goes in a certain direction and the grooves of direction get ever deeper each year. God has given us the opportunity to choose that direction, each New Year gives us an opportunity to change directions and travel down new paths that will bring satisfying joy and peace. In the coming year and always, may your life be like this verse:
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Prov. 4:18
Practical application:
These websites have great plans for reading through the Bible, or one of the Testaments and in all kinds of ways. They also provide readings, schedules and links to other Bible study resources sent directly to your mobile phone.
Great article! Just prior to reading this I had subscribed to 2 daily email devotions at http://www.biblegateway.com/newsletters/ – Coincidence? I think not!
Jane,
Thanks so much for the comment–I think it underscores how our work is so much more than practical nuts and bolts and how tos (tho that is important!). We serve a mighty Lord and a focus on Him is the most important thing!
Blessings,
Yvon