Door Knocking vs. Feet Sitting
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
"Work harder than anybody you've ever seen. That's what I believe." – Meek Mill, musician
I guess I get it from my dad…
What’s that, Dale? Your sweet tooth? Well, yes, but that’s not what I’m referring to today. I meant my dad’s strong work ethic, which is something he needed to provide for a family of eight on a single income while sending four of us to college.
I followed in my dad’s footsteps by starting a prison ministry from scratch, writing three books, and running for Congress twice in the span of three years. Just try working 50-60 hours per week and then knocking on 10,000 doors in your “spare” time!
When our family relocated to Florida in 2011, I quickly discovered that I could outwork almost everyone I met. I suppose it comes from growing up in New Jersey, where the pace is fast and the rat race is in full swing. In the Garden State, you either sink or swim… and if you’re standing still, you’re actually falling behind.
Native Floridians, on the other hand, tend to be a bit more laid back in a “what’s your hurry?” kind of way. I suppose that’s why they often smile more and live longer than us transplanted northeasterners.
But something tells me that there is probably a “happy medium” somewhere that we should aspire to, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. In Luke 10, we read the story of how Mary and Martha responded to a visit from Jesus. While Martha busied herself making sure that Jesus was comfortable and well fed, Mary simply sat at His feet and drank in His teaching.
When Martha complained to Jesus about Mary’s supposed laziness, He chastised her gently but directly. “Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things,” Jesus said. “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Warren Wiersbe, one of my favorite Bible commentators who is now with the Lord, put it this way…
“What we do with Christ is far more important than what we do for Christ. Again, it is not an either/or situation; it is a matter of balance… Few things are as damaging to the Christian life as trying to work for Christ without taking time to commune with Christ.”
Can I get an “Amen?”
“But Martha was distracted with much serving…” Luke 10:40a (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
