Roots

Goodandgraces   -  

Have you ever felt like you were working so hard towards a goal, but not seeing the results you were hoping for.  You keep working and going through the motions of life, but feel like there is not much to show for it.  Lately, I have felt like this a lot.  Have you ever studied for a pop quiz to find out the teacher isn’t having one that day? Or prepared for something at work or planned a party to then be told “we won’t be using your idea” or lately, sorry everything is canceled.  I can sometimes spin my wheels doing this task, that chore, this cooking, preparing and still at the end of the day my “to do list” is longer than when I started. I think to myself what is going on! Feelings of discouragement and frustration creep in.  As my emotions build I began to think about all the ways that our time can be wasted. Then my mind drifted to the story of Mary, Martha and Jesus.  You see Jesus was visiting these two women and Mary was sitting at his feet listening and enjoying each moment, while Martha was busy cooking, probably cleaning and doing what she felt “needed” to be done to have a presentable meal. Martha gets frustrated because Mary isn’t helping.  Jesus sees this and lovingly reminds Martha of what is important.  This story for me creates pause.  My natural tendency is to think Martha is doing the tasks that need completing.  But does it really need to be done at that moment?  Likely the answer is no.  Which prompts me to ask myself– am I putting the most attention where it really matters or am I just busy with my check list.  Am I invested, fully focused and rooted in what will bring everlasting joy?  Do I chase after worldly things that may bring the most fleeting happiness or do I look for ways to invest in things that will make a difference?

Our lives have many different seasons and rhythms, but as I age I begin to see that regardless of the season do I take time to ask myself what matters the most?  Does your lifestyle reflect Christ?  As I reflect on my life, I see that what mattered most when I was in high school has shifted.  In high school my priority was cheerleading, friends and grades.  In college my desire shifted towards the want to get married and go to medical school.  In medical school it was getting a residency and then in residency getting a job.  Throughout all these events I would say I was reading my Bible, going to church and being a “decent person”, but on the inside I was so alone…I wasn’t married, I didn’t have close friends and I wanted to feel like I mattered.  Friends, I was spinning my wheels to achieve worldly accolades.  If only I could go back and tell that young women to get on your knees, get into the Bible and get involved with people that have a lifestyle that reflects Christ.  Plant your roots with the living God and see what grows.

In the book of Mark, Jesus talks about a farmer that is working hard planting his seeds.  Despite how hard he works some of the seeds get lost in the rocks.  These seeds will grow, but their roots will be shallow and the plants will be weak. I want to make sure that the roots I’m planting or activities that I’m doing will be strong and won’t blow away with the first wind.  Are your roots strong?  I must constantly remind myself that if I am not living out what he has created me for, then I am neither maximizing my potential nor am I being efficient.  Are there things in your life that need adjusting? I know there are in mine.  Let’s work together and seek God first so we can be the woman God has called us to be.