Delighting in a Visit!

The following is encouragement for you as if Jesus Christ Himself was speaking.  These are meant to give you insight into His Heart, how He thinks, and how He feels about you.  Let this encouragement begin to dwell deep within you!

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 (NIV)


This simple short story can give you a deep insight into just who I am, what I want and hope for, and what I want to happen between us!  I really want you to understand just how much I delight in you, today, just as you are, knowing your past, realizing your struggles! 

Martha, who became a dear and beloved friend of mine, assumed that since I was visiting, all manner of housework, cooking, cleaning and preparations had to be made.  She assumed that I would be used to a grand feast, that I needed special attention, that all her neighbors would be checking out her plans for the special day of my visit.  What could have been a simple, yet memorable visit, turned into a nightmare of work and worry.  And her frustrations and self-imposed burdens showed themselves when she lashed out at her sister, Mary.

Mary was mixed up and rattled in so many ways, always trying to get her life turned around and on the right path.  She recognized that I could help her, that I wanted to help her, that I would indeed help her.  Nothing was more important to her than being with me and understanding me better.  To her, I was the healing answer she had been seeking.

Martha thought I would be pleased by a “show” of hospitality and honor; Mary just wanted to talk with me.  Martha thought I needed a special sumptuous big feast; Mary didn’t even think about food because of her need.  Martha was consumed about providing a special experience that I didn’t need; Mary just needed some one on one time.

Today, this minute, with you, I don’t need any special prayers or devotions.  You need not endure some lengthy fast, or do prominent works of charity.  In fact, you need not make any special preparations as I come to you to visit.  All I want is your attention; all I want is to speak with you, so that you know I do hear you, and so that you begin to recognize my voice of love and care for you.

At Martha and Mary’s house, a simple sandwich would have been fine with me, because I was concentrating so much on blessing these two dear people.  Today, this minute, put away all your preparations and distractions, and just visit with me for a while.  Believe me when I tell you that I am really excited just to be with you, to listen to you, and to have you listen to me!  You are such a delight to me!

I really like you, and I really love you!


PAUSE … Invite Him to be with you; let Him quiet you with His Love.


REFLECT… What is God saying to you?  Is your sense of what God is like beginning to change yet?

QUESTIONS:

1) What do think the Lord needs from you today?

2) Do you feel that sometimes it is easier being a “Martha” and get caught up in a zillion distractions in our spiritual life, rather than to quietly listen?

3) Why would Jesus be content with a sandwich instead of a banquet?

4) When God states that He delights in you, can you believe it?

5) Do you sometimes feel no one could delight in you?

6) Can you grasp the idea, and believe the fact, that God senses "delight" when thinking of you.  Even when you feel you are at your rock-bottom and unlovable, you are a delight!  Let this fact sink in!  

7) How does this story help you meet Jesus face to face? 

8) What have you learned about Jesus as a person?  How much would He care about the losses in your particular life? 

9) How would describe Him to a friend?


RECEIVE … Receive the ability, directly given from the Holy Spirit, to place trust and hope in Jesus.  Enjoy the expectation of new and vibrant life to come.  Believe, even though you might feel so, that you are a delight in His eyes.


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