The Most Important Thing

The most important thing is to keep the most important thing the most important thing!

Reflecting regularly on the basics of our relationship with the Lord is healthy. So, my aim is for us to create a healthy platform from which we can enjoy a loving and dynamic relationship with God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord through Holy Spirit’s facilitating our communication and intimacy. 

As we become partakers of God’s nature and be transformed, we present not only our bodies, but also our spirits and souls as living, dedicated burnt offerings to the Lord, so that we can undergo that metamorphosis – absorbing the mind and will of God, becoming more and more like Him. And as we embark on this wonderful journey, we must cast aside all subtle prejudices and traditions that seem godly, but become hindrances to obtaining the maximal transformation. 

The key is twofold: to fulfil all the promises and, secondly, to escape the world and its allure, but especially its seemingly kosher religious methods. 

Peter wrote in his second epistle, “Because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 

An excellent practical example of this would be Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, “As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.” 

As the Lamb’s Bride and Wife, we are to be subject to Him in all things. Our collaboration must surely come from the Head, even though in time we gain the wisdom, insight, truth and discernment to act entirely on His behalf as Holy Spirit guides us (1 John 2:27). That beautiful paradigm that Hosea spoke of concerning the new covenant, “And in that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’” that is, referring to the mystery where Christ and the Church become one. 

And it’s really simple, as nothing impure can persist into eternity after the Day of the Lord. Only that which has been conformed and transformed into His holiness can persist. A change that Holy Spirit brings about as we remain in His Presence and abide in His Person. 

The process is simple, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 

Let’s consider this from a very real Scriptural account. Making food for at least 13 people on what seems to have been an impromptu visit in Jesus’ day was quite an effort. Enough water had to be drawn from the well and carried back to the house; the fire had to be stoked; enough mutton, venison, or poultry (probably for a broth) had to be bought from the market, killed, and properly prepared. And if any herbs were amiss, they had to be acquired as well. Were there enough vegetables? And who would peel, cut, or prepare them? Bread had to be baked for all involved. Did they have enough barley or wheat, and did the recipe for baking it have to be made? There had to be enough bowls, cutlery, and the table had to be set, while the cooking utensils needed washing up as things went along. 

So maybe we can understand a little better why Martha was literally up in arms about the whole situation, as her sister didn’t care for anything or helping out at all. All she desired was to absorb as much as possible from Jesus’s words, the bread of life feeding her perfectly, cocooned in the reality of encountering the Presence and the words of eternity – love and truth poured out for her and the disciples. 

Perhaps as we now read the account, we can see our own frustrations as we try to navigate our way in our daily tasks and even believe we are doing it for the Lord, while those who know that the most important thing is to keep the most important thing as the most important thing benefit most. 

Luke 10:38-42, “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (ESV) 

Love and divinity are not always “fair”, but they are always filled with mercy, grace and beauty.

Blessings

Ben

Our thanks to Ben for this month’s Blog contribution

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