Too busy for Jesus

[Goodbook]

I think people are too busy for Jesus these days. My ladies bible study started a new book study called 'having a Mary heart in a Martha world'. Everyone in the group identified with Martha and I felt the odd one out because I'm more like Mary. Even my mum and sister, who are unsaved, are like Martha.

My church is having a pamper night and we are going to wash each others feet, have facials, hair, massages etc. I sent out invites, I think about at dozen and everyone who's replied so far says they are too busy to come.

?!

Sigh. What to do?
Back to the prayer closet?
Imagine if Jesus said to Mary, get back to the kitchen where you belong? stop anointing me! Why cant you be more like your sister?!

 

[timf]

Satan runs this world (for now and insofar as he is allowed by God). Satan has been working for centuries to get us to enslave ourselves so that he (since he can't be everywhere at once) can leverage his influence. He has used many strategies (even using Christians).

One element in his plan is to ratchet up the tempo of life. This hectic pace of life seems unalterable. It also keeps people off-balance and makes them more vulnerable to the schemes he is advancing.

Many people reach adulthood and begin to look at their life and see that a husband and wife both trying to bring home enough money to be able to afford a nice house and send their kids to a good school doesn't seem to work when their kids are like distant roommates with their own friends and activities.

The idea of dropping one income, home schooling, and living less well off can seem like a risky proposition. However, it can help recover one's sanity and build a stronger family than the modern alternative.

As Satan tightens the societal noose around our necks, finding ways to still live for Jesus may require some creativity. We may have to give up the "broad way".

 

[ezeric]

I think people are too busy for Jesus these days. My ladies bible study started a new book study called 'having a Mary heart in a Martha world'. Everyone in the group identified with Martha and I felt the odd one out because I'm more like Mary. Even my mum and sister, who are unsaved, are like Martha.

My church is having a pamper night and we are going to wash each others feet, have facials, hair, massages etc. I sent out invites, I think about at dozen and everyone who's replied so far says they are too busy to come.

?!

Sigh. What to do?
Back to the prayer closet?
Imagine if Jesus said to Mary, get back to the kitchen where you belong? stop anointing me! Why cant you be more like your sister?!

JESUS called the masses too, and they all had excuses.
Do we think that HE would only wash 12 of them (Judas too) and not more?

When our message is only LOVE - or "one-anothering" then like a light or a candle we can see.

Think about insects and bugs, they are either attracted to light or run from it.
Use your love tank (passion) to minister to those that are coming/drawing to your light (really SPIRIT in you) and not too much focus on those that are not there (ready) yet.

-eric

 

[parsley]

Good topic.

I suspect the lack of response was not that people were too busy for Jesus, but that they couldn't pay a babysitter or change their schedules or convince their spouses that a pamper night was important.

Getting a massage and facial is very personal, and some people don't want to be in a position where they risk too much social intimacy with church friends. Especially if it's not clear whether you'll be hanging around in towels and togas, or in plainclothes.

It's a nice idea, especially if people invite friends and the cost is low. But with anything, a lower response percentage than we want can be expected.

 

[Goodbook]

Well no, some people actually did say they were too busy.

Nothing stopping them bringing their children either.

The other reasons was they had birthdays, or exams.

Towels and togas?! Its church, not a turkish bath! Although..if people want to be baptised in water, they could, but not in ours, as its a presy, not a baptist one. But you know a pool or mikvah is a good thing to have inside a church. And its free. Why would a church charge money for people to come?

Thats weird about the social intimacy thing. Jesus really wanted social intimacy..that was the point of his whole ministry. Its not like, Jesus, don't touch me and don't wash my feet. Who thinks Jesus had germs! I reckon he was real disappointed when he called people and they didn't answer or gave flimsy excuses. If the King commands you, you go, no question about it. You wouldn't miss the privilege for anything. He wasn't simply being nice..

Personally for things like parties, and get togethers While I love putting them on and having them I don't like having to deal with rejection when most of the people I invite cant come, or worse, say they will come and then don't show up. I shouldn't take it personally. Some guests can be pretty rude too, I remember one time having one and one of my friends said she wanted to just watch tv. If she wanted to watch tv she could have stayed at home! Or they don't want to play any fun games or dance and have music they just want to talk shop and gossip and complain. Meh. Maybe I just have boring friends.

 

[parsley]

It was good of you to plan it, and it must have been discouraging to line up resources and then adapt to reservation changes.

Everyone has different tastes and interests. And as you say, birthdays and exams. Notice how they came to the Bible study, but an extra event was more than they could schedule. I don't think they viewed the spa night as taking time for Jesus.

I skip women's meetings if they don't seem to be accomplishing something concrete. A lot of my life revolves around work, including church, because I believe it's good to get things done. I don't think Jesus was telling Mary and Martha not to work, but to keep these things in balance.

Some people are more relaxed working at a soup kitchen than getting too much personal attention. While pampering is nice, spa things are not relaxing and pleasant to everyone. People have different interests.

When my kids were young, it was a big expense to arrange for sitters when people wanted me to join them in things. Also taking time off from work, family, responsibilities, and rest. I would get frustrated when they'd trick me with a Cutco sales pitch or wanting something under another premise. Fitting in extra things was very exhausting when there wasn't even a way to get enough sleep.

Have a good time with the people there, and maybe when people hear about what fun it was, more will want to come to the next one.

 

[ezeric]

I agree it is a good topic, and the bit about the toga's and turkish bath got me laughing…
(not the intent of the topic, but a welcomed part of it)

When JESUS was with Martha and Mary, remember they were with HIM lots (also Lazarus their brother)…so they were used to each other.

But as much as cleaning house and preparing is LOADS of work.
There is something greater, and its available to us 24/7 but we are all 'too busy' to do it.
And its this:

"Spending time in prayer (talking and listening) to our FATHER (DADDY)"

We would rather do a zillion things than wait on the LORD and have HIM teach us.
We would prefer to 'do things for HIM' rather than 'spend time with HIM'.
We confuse even in our daily relationships the difference between 'doing things out of love for people (which is good), and just spending time with people and listening (better).

Thats my take, I got something out of all this - so thanks again folks!

-eric

 

[BFine]

Wonder how it would be if you did this--
Luke 14:23
"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes
and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full."

I did this for my wedding in 2002 when my mom's relatives who claimed they wanted
to be at my wedding, called at the last minute and cancelled on me... I had
less than 24 hrs. to round up some extra guests to take their places-- so I
invited the guy who cut grass for folks around town, I invited my "neighbors"--
the man who worked for the tree trimming service, I invited the girl who does
hair etc. Those last minute invited guests came to my wedding and brought their
children and or spouse.

 

[seeingeyes]

"Too busy for spa night" does not equal "too busy for Jesus".

 

[Quasicentennial]

Although we live in the Product Age where we are safety-conscious about the quality of products that are used for body health and hygiene, products used for massage or bathing, if known and used for the first time, information and facts about them first tend to create a friendly and trustworthy atmosphere, especially new and unique product brands not usually sold at the supermarket.;'*';.

 

[quietpraiyze]

"Too busy for spa night" does not equal "too busy for Jesus".

You beat me to it!

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

America is a VERY fast paced culture and often our lifestyles here take over our life. Its why people often say "Well I went to church Sunday, so don't judge me!". They think for 1-3 hours on Sunday makes it ok for them to be busy the rest of the days of the week.

While theres nothing wrong with keeping busy of course. We must remember to have Jesus in their somewhere. If you go to lets say a book club. Do you talk to others baout Jesus sometimes? If you go to sporting events do you mention your beliefs at all? I'm not saying everything you must do has involve that because obviously we don't want to bible bash people either.

But we still have to remember our purpose here now is to brings others to salvation so they don't end up in hell. One sermon I heard mentioned 4,000 people a minute on earth. Do you know how many of those people probably went to hell? Wouldn't you want to be able to help as many of them before they died so they can have a relationship with Jesus and go to heaven?

I know I would. Its why people need to realize while entertaining ourselves is fun, we still have to remember we are children of God and have a purpose.

 

[znr]

Your attitude is pretty harsh. No offense, but the way you talk to people sometimes? Well I'd not want to let you wash my feet. You've said hurtful things to me, about my character, and done this to others too, here on this forum. Now, everyone who doesn't want to come have tea is too busy for Jesus?

I don't want this to hurt your feelings, but if it does, it's probably not a bad thing.

 

[Goodbook]

Agh. Just got home. My friend cancelled. Its poring with rain and i just want to go to bed.
The pamper night was not my idea..it is my sisters in christ.But she ropes me into it expecting me to take time off work so I can come early to massage everyone else's feet. But I already told her I actually work office hours and cant. Then she expected me to bring two friends. Well I don't have any friends I can bring without driving all the way across town.

Maybe you are right, a night of pampering is not what Jesus wants for me.
so maybe I shouldn't feel guilty if I just dont turn up.

Retired people can go, but working people and mums cant. She'll probably be real sad when I see her next Sunday and ask me why I didn't come. Or angry. Or disappointed. I already took a week off for this missions course I asked for leave in advance, so I cant just skive off work and go and do ministry. Well...I'm going to wait a bit .if the traffic dies down I may be able to make it. It sucks being single God! I'd be rather be at home pampering my husband.

 

[Goodbook]

..just got back. Actually, it was nice. So what, everyone I invited missed out, but I got pampered.

I rang my sister beforehand and left a message saying was going to be late, and she understood. Missed out on the massage though..but a saint washed my feet. Had really good fellowship.

Sorry about the fuss. She said she invited heaps also and they couldn't come.

It just made me think those who want to be in heaven are those who really are determined to go. I'm sure Jesus invites more than we think he does but lots of people don't have their priorities straight.

 

[parsley]

Glad it worked out okay.

Being busy is not equivalent to being too busy for God. Jesus was busy with His Father's work. Mother Theresa was busy caring for the needy. (Driving across town to pick people up would have made you busier than you are.)

People who allow God to work in every part of their day, can be living for God and taking time for Him. We are called to take time for God during our day, pray without ceasing, respond to His inner leadings, interact ethically and live a righteous life for His glory.

In the teachings about end times, we are reminded not to stop daily life activities. Proverbs reminds us not to be idle daydreamers. We all need relaxation -- and a whole Sabbath day was allotted for that -- but we also need to respect the needs of daily living.

BTW this event might be a glimpse into the realities of marriage and family -- the married women are probably not skipping the event to pamper their husbands. Start looking into what married people really do in a normal week, before you get make a decision to get married. The retired people were the ones who had time -- that's a good reflection on how our lives go in waves of activity and demand.

I'm sure Jesus invites more than we think

Nice wrap-up analogy.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Goodbook. Jesus gave some good advice for those of us who are really
very busy. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus tells a Lawyer, (Scribe) " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself."
Jesus also pointed out: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our love, freely given and NO conditions made.
We always treat all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends, we treat all as we would love to be treated: kindly and always with friendly words.
We will find that People will treat us, as we treat people. Love is very catching. God will see our loving efforts, and God will approve and Bless us.
Matthew 7: 7-10: tells us: " Ask and ye shall receive." We ask God for Love and Joy, then we thank God and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour.
We might stumble or forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us, and carry on loving and caring: all we say or do, and all we advice and stand for,
including the occasional helping hand.
We Christians, like our Leader Jesus, have one great weapon, our great weapon is Love, and with love we can overcome all anger and strife.
Jesus our Saviour will help and guide us: JESUS IS THE WAY. We need never be too busy for Jesus, we ask and then be given. Love will be with us all the time, we use Love as we need Love. I say this with love, Goodbook.
Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ. N.S. Ask and ye shall receive.

 

[Peripatetic]

I was thinking about this topic earlier today. We live in a sort of vertigo age where the speed and complexity of life is disorienting. Yet, it was God's will to put me on Earth at this time. I've been doing a sort of silent prayer ministry for busy individuals that I encounter, and for the population as a whole. I pray that "the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth" does not choke the word of God, as Jesus described in the Parable of the Sower. I pray that God will bring comfort to their sorrows and to their anxieties, His peace. That Jesus may be in their hearts and minds in clarity and truth (not as distorted by the world). And I pray that God will hold on to them forever... which no amount of ignorance or distraction can change. But I was thinking today about how much we have to depend on God's plan and His mercy to keep us on the track that leads to Him - imperfect as the road may be.

 

[Goodbook]

Great stuff Peripaetic, I'm sure we will all be encouraged by your prayer ministry. We need to be praying for others who just don't have the time to pray.