Confronting Worry at His Feet

“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 4:6-7 TPT

What do you do when your worries seem to consume you? This past weekend, I kept hearing a scripture in my ears. “Martha, Martha, you’re worried about many things…” I couldn’t help but shake this verse as I’d found myself thinking about one thing to the next. For days on end, I’d allowed anxious worries to fill my thoughts and prayers as I tried to figure out the How’s and What’s of my life. God, how this? What if that? When is this? Why is that?  I had so many questions with seemingly no answers. My heart was troubled and my mind was racing. I felt exhausted not just from work, but from overthinking. I had been unsettled in various aspects of my life, and the interesting thing is that everything is going well. Could it be that I’m worried about nothing? I know I have my issues, but honestly, nothing is seriously wrong. I'm just navigating the usual, manageable challenges of life. So why am I feeling so worried?

A very amazing aspect of the Holy Spirit is that He brings His Word back to remembrance, this of course is given that you actually read and study your Bible. He was speaking to me through this verse this past weekend, and I took some time to study it. 

“Now while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village [called Bethany], and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. [John 11:1] She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching. But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.” But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.”” – Luke 10:38-42 AMP

I love God’s Word because it’s ALIVE! It is applicable to every situation and circumstance, no matter what. Perhaps you find yourself like me… I am currently navigating some major life transitions, and by God’s grace, these are positive changes. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking, but overall, it’s good. I have been preparing and planning, taking ample time to think, strategize, pray, and simply sit with God about my life, these transitions, and the necessary decisions ahead.

I must admit, I’ve been very productive. Some of my systems are beginning to yield results, and all is well. However, in addition to my productivity and proactive prayers, I have found myself worrying without even realizing it. Some of the activities I’ve busied myself with have drawn my attention away from the most important thing right now – sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Luke 10 is such a powerful passage of scripture. I love that Jesus says, “Martha, Martha.” Jesus called her twice. Could it be that Martha was so busily moving that she didn’t hear Him at the first call? Or perhaps, Jesus was trying to gain her complete attention and stop her in her tracks. He was confronting her heart, her mind, and her actions. You see, what Martha was doing was technically good. I mean, which one of us, when guests come over to the house, won’t busy ourselves serving them? It’s premium hospitality! It makes sense why Martha was upset. She wanted Mary to help, perhaps so they could both end up sitting at the feet of Jesus together later. 

I've come to realize that even my best efforts can sometimes feel meaningless. My greatest achievements and most significant responsibilities can be taken from me in an instant. Everything I cherish, care for, and own can disappear. Sometimes we waste so much time investing in things and people, yet receive zero return. All of this, of course is not to degrade the value and necessity of serving or taking care of responsibilities. But one thing that is never a waste is sitting at the feet of Jesus. No prayer ever falls to the ground. No moment in His presence is a waste. All of it lasts eternally and is of great reward. Yet, sometimes, we are too busy…with worry.

Perhaps the reason Jesus wanted Martha to sit down was that her motivation for serving was not entirely pure. She was eager to take on responsibilities, not solely out of honor, but also out of concern. The house didn’t look clean enough, the food wasn’t prepared, and there were urgent matters demanding her attention. However, Jesus chose not to prioritize her service at that moment. He wanted her to take a seat and simply be present.

How many of us have become so caught up in our responsibilities that we are always on the go, constantly moving on to the next thing? Our devotional time has turned into a mere drive-by experience. We may spend just a minute in silence, say a few half-hearted words to God, and read only one verse each day. We do the bare minimum, not necessarily out of desire, but because of our many obligations.

Everything is asking for your attention – you have to take the kids to school, you need to finish your schoolwork, your mom is asking for your help, your job has demanding deadlines, the laundry is piling up, the car has a flat tire, you have to serve at church this Sunday, the list goes on and on. Everybody and everything is demanding for your attention. You’re busily distracted and actively worried. Not because you don’t love God, but perhaps in a weird way, you’ve processed that God could wait. Other things are more urgent. 

May we never lose the awe and reverence for the presence of God. May our love for Him continue to draw us to His feet and keep us on our knees!

It’s easy to be worried. It’s easy to become distracted. I’m writing this blog today because I believe God has been calling your name. Morgan, Morgan, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things… You fill in your name in that scripture. That’s God calling you! God never wants us to worry. He instead tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be saturated in prayer and not be pulled in various directions due to worry. Worry is a distraction. The many things concerning you are distractions. How many things are keeping you away from the feet of Jesus? I know it’s urgent and pressing. But God desires your undivided attention. 

When you sit at the feet of Jesus, you receive His unshakable peace and gain insight into your life. This week, after a turbulent weekend of surrender, I made a decision in my heart to remain seated in His presence. Since Monday, God has started to provide me with strategies and wisdom for the many tasks I need to complete. I've found myself to be much more productive than I was before. In the past, I was productive, but I often spent a lot of time trying to figure things out on my own. Now, I've learned to move forward with decisiveness and understanding while staying grounded in His presence. Tasks that I once dreaded are now coming together, and I feel an incredible sense of peace. I can’t express how much I’ve been praying this week, even for the smallest things. 

What I’m describing may sound extreme, but maintaining your peace and posture is worth fighting for. It’s essential to dedicate those 30 minutes a day to intentionally connect with God in private. Every worry you face stems from somewhere, and often, these worries can only be addressed through prayer and time spent with God. If you’re like me, you prefer to strategize and have a detailed plan for how different areas of your life should function. While our plans can be useful, clarity from God is far more valuable. Your work, family, ministry, business, education, and many other aspects of your life require godly clarity, not just human strategy.

The best thing about remaining at the feet of Jesus instead of busily worrying is found in Jesus’ words: “Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.” When you decide to remain at His feet, it will never be taken from you. That peace and clarity you gain in His presence are lasting, as long as you remain seated. 

Sometimes, the enemy's strategy isn't necessarily to make us sin, but rather to get us to move away from our set place at the feet of Jesus. I have a few questions for you: How has your posture been? Have you allowed your relationship with God to be set aside for other responsibilities and seemingly urgent demands? Do you find yourself feeling distracted, anxious, and worried about your many obligations?

God always invites us to stay close to Him because He knows that everything we need is found at His feet. With God, we lack nothing. It may be difficult to remain in His presence, but like Mary, remember that it will never be taken away from you. All you have to do is choose. You who are reading this, choose the good part, which is to your advantage!

Scriptures to Meditate on

• “Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.” – John 15:4 GNT

• “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 NKJV

• “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.” – Matthew 6:25-26 MSG