The Scales Must Tilt Toward The Good Part.

Life is so busy and chaotic in contrast to 25 years ago.

We are surrounded by needs and situations that demand our attention and it would seem that the world would end if we took our eyes off the task. Tunnel vision is a place where many of us seem to end up. Focused only on the objective that seems to be the end of our worry, only to find that as we approach the goal another issue arises that must be addressed.

Mind numb, body weary, finances drained, but worst of all our soul is showing empty and warning bells of compromise has long since become just a part of the noise of life.

Happiness is a long term goal, not a reality of our day.

Joy in the morning seems like a fairy tale told us as a child.

Peace in the Holy Ghost is a part of other peoples stories not mine.

I struggle to get to just get to a church service.

The weight of responsibility tells me that it would be wise to rest at home during midweek, or during revival. Tomorrow is just going to be a repeat of today, if I don’t rest how will I endure? I will make it Sunday and pray through, I will pray tomorrow and make up for my lack of prayer today.

These are common thoughts and feelings that many of us struggle with daily, weekly, monthly, and if allowed it will turn into yearly. Not one adult in this church has not been affected by this spirit over time, I believe the fight is in more than what you might think.

I have to get this done, I have to get that done.

Now I am exhausted and sick, depressed and full of anxiety.

The Bible is not without example of this. Look in the book of Jonah.

Jonah was so scared, so angry, so anxious because God had ordered him to go to Nineveh. It affected him so badly that he found a ship bound for Tarshish. Looking into this place we find that it is literally anywhere but where you are at. Have you ever found yourself wanting to be anywhere else but where you are? That was Jonah, Tarshish in that period was word used to say “anywhere” it described trade ships that were bound for anywhere the ended up, going from port to port finding items to buy. Jonah was so distraught that he just bought a ticket to anywhere. His scales had tilted to disobedience.

We find our primary example in the Gospels, described by Luke.

We find a lady named Martha in the 10th chapter of Luke that was feeling the same as we do. Jesus on what seemed short notice came to visit and with him the entourage that followed. If we estimate on the low side we could easily figure 15-20 additional people to feed, provide lodging and cleaning facilities. overwhelmed was a description we could easily give in her honor.

Now she had a sister named Mary ( not the same Mary that was the mother of Jesus), this sister went and sat at the feet of Jesus and learned from him as he spake, gaining strength as she sat at the feet of Jesus.

Martha reached her broken point and confronted Jesus, not Mary.

Read text

Luke 10:38–42 KJV 1900

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Jesus made clear that the important part was not in the rushing around and getting things done, but it was the moments spent in his presence. That’s where the peace, joy and salvation were found. All the other stuff could have been accomplished by the many hands that were there in the house. The tunnel vision of perfection cause Martha to miss the point of the Jesus visit.

The Scales Must Tilt on the side of being in his presence. Your success is coming at such a drastic cost because you put the business, the job, the side hustle, the responsibility of caring for others has become a weight not a blessing.

WE MUST SHIFT THE WEIGHT TOWARD THE SIDE OF BEING IN HIS PRESENCE.

Many of you find it hard to even come on a Sunday afternoon and lift your hands or open your mouth in prayer.

You have tilted the scale toward carnal life, its time to move that to the spirit side.

Its time for you to stop the race toward “getting it done” and allow yourself to rest at his feet.

Marriages are in danger because of the pressure the weight on the scale is giving.

Health is in danger because of the stress and worry that lies on the scale.

What does prayer do pastor, when done right it transfers the weight through your words to the waiting shoulders of the God who created all.

We must make priority our relationship to God and not our service to the world.

Distractions must be avoided. Our times in the presence of the Lord must not be compromised by our daily worries.

The grace of God through being in his presence will cover much depression, push away the anxieties, clear cluttered minds and heal broken spirits.

Through this you can once more find the path ordered by the Lord, your steps once more guided by the Holy Ghost. Succes in life and success in the spirited is guranteed when the scales are tilted toward sitting at the feet of Jesus.