Today’s scripture: Mark 3:24-27 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Lynnette Pullen):
In Mark 3:24-27, Jesus talks about the power of division and how it is used to bring down a house. A house could be anything: a family, nation, church, group of friends, or even a business. Jesus warns that a house divided against itself cannot stand. But then he says in Mark 3:27: “But no one can go into a strong man’s house and ransack his household goods right and left and seize then as plunder unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may thoroughly plunder his house.”
That phrase “binds the strong man” stands out to me. I am not a scholar, but I would argue that it does not mean physical bondage. He’s a strong man. Thieves and plunderers are not generally strong people; and even if they could bind the man, I’m pretty sure he would get free sooner or later and then come looking for them. I believe that bondage is something darker and more sinister . . . a mental bondage.
The other day, I was talking and praying with God about some news I received from my doctor. I was dealing with some surprising health issues. They weren’t life threatening problems, but eventually they could be if left unaddressed. I was frustrated and upset about the news and was asking God why these things were going wrong. I am young; I have worked hard to change my lifestyle to include exercise and healthy eating on a regular basis; and still I am having problems. I was sitting at an intersection while the light was red, contemplating these things when I heard quietly in my heart “look around.” Just then the left turn lane light turned green, but the light to go straight was still red. An absent minded driver saw the lane next to him moving and began driving through the red light. Then the drivers behind him and next to him followed suit. Thankfully, the cross traffic was paying attention and yielded, avoiding a collision. The drivers were completely clueless as to what had just occurred. What could cause this amount of recklessness? I happened to notice that none of them were on their cell phones, which struck me as odd. They weren’t speeding off, and their hands appeared to be on the wheels. What happened? What was the problem? I realized at that moment that God was showing me that I had the same problem as those drivers. My house (or in my case, my body) is divided against itself because I have been bound by the invisible ropes of stress.
My days are packed! In the name of productivity and efficiency, I plan every waking moment of my day. If I find that I have an hour between activities, I will find something I deem “productive” to do. I frequently find ways to multitask, and then secretly pat myself on the back saying, “That-a-girl!” I pride myself on completing twelve hours of work in only eight hours. My company loves it! They applaud my efforts and marvel at my ability to balance a heavy work load, smiling while I do it. All the while the thief is slowly and subtly binding the strong man (or woman) and plundering my goods. Suddenly, I don’t feel so strong. I’m tired and sleepy. I can’t concentrate. The doctor says that my body can’t keep up at this pace. I put the milk in the pantry and the cereal in the fridge. My mind is short circuiting. Maybe I run through red lights without even knowing it. God, what do I do?
I’ll tell you the three things God told me I needed to do to get my house back in order: 1) Be in the moment more often. When we spend our time planning, thinking, analyzing, and juggling, we often forget to just “be.” Make it a point everyday to just “be.” Notice the birds singing in the morning, and listen to them. Watch an ant carry his heavy load across a leaf. Marvel in the synergy of flavors of a homemade chocolate chip cookie. In other words, slow down and let your mind focus on the simple and beautiful things around you at the very moment that they are happening. Try not to think about anything else and appreciate the simple beauty in everyday life. 2) Laugh more. Laughter is medicine for the soul. Sometimes I can be so serious that I fail to see the humor in life and in myself. I notice that happy healthy families laugh together. 3) This one may be the most important for me. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. Take a look at your life. Prayerfully eliminate activities that may be taking away from your quality of life, even if they add to someone else’s. Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. I always like to joke and say God made us to lie down in green pastures, not to mow, mulch, and fertilize them. Give yourself time to relax and not feel pressured by running from one activity to another.
These changes are much easier to say than to do, but they are worth it. Time is a commodity that we as humans cannot earn, manufacture, or recycle. Making the most of your time does not mean efficiently filling every moment with productive activities. Making the most means living without regrets, maintaining a healthy work/life balance, and enjoying life everyday.
Prayer for the day: God, thank you so much for giving us the freedom and the desire to be good stewards of the gifts and talents with which you have blessed us. In our culture, we often get caught in a cyclone of work and activity, trying to use those gifts which often lead us to mental, emotional, and physical bondage. We pride ourselves in our accomplishments, forgetting that your love and approval is not contingent on our earthly resumes and deeds. Forgive us. Continue to guide us individually and as a group to restore and maintain our bodies, families, homes, churches, and nations so that we can always be a reflection of you and enjoy our lives. Amen.
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