Well hello there, beautiful reader.
As the very first voice apart from Natalie and Jess, to be heard on this amazing platform, it would probably only be good manners for me to introduce myself. My name is Lelané. Don’t worry too much about the pronunciation, I take no offense. I am a graphic designer by trade, an artist by heart and a daughter of the most high in identity. I’m single, never been married, no kids and in my early thirties. I am a proud aunty to any little person that calls me “tannie” though, so I’m sure that counts for something right? I trust that we will become great friends on this platform though and I look forward to getting to know you a bit better.
Now that we’ve gotten to know each other, let’s go a bit deeper. There really is nothing I love more than a good old DMC (deep meaningful conversation).
Too much
There is something about this time of year, don’t you think? The days feel both longer and shorter, all at the same time. Everything is going really fast, and also really slow. It’s as if Christmas feels a lifetime away, yet the shops are definitely telling a different tale. It’s only a matter of time before we hear the echo of Christmas carols all throughout the shopping aisles.
This time of year doesn’t lend itself to rest or quiet, does it?
I have found myself in a bit of a spiral for the last few months. There has been too many things to do, too many people to see, too many problems to solve and too much work to do. There is this general feeling of “too much” hanging in the air. It has started to feel as if the smallest thing would send me over the edge. Quite literally. I live alone, and so during the busy seasons, there are many things that need to happen, but only two hands to do them with. As a result, there are things that fall through the cracks.
Most evenings I can choose between getting work done, making dinner, having a shower, cleaning the house or simply relaxing a bit. I can choose two, maybe three of those things. I’m not a great fan of house work, so that one is normally the first to go. I mean, it sounds funny now, but I’m sure you know the feeling of being overwhelmed simply by your space. Too much lying around, too much clutter. A friend of mine asked me, while my house was in this state, if she could drop off a box to be picked up by another friend of mine. The request on its own is really not a big ask. In fact, it’s incredibly small. The request, however, made me feel instantly overwhelmed.
First to go
I always find it interesting that to the measure I feel overwhelmed, is normally the measure to which I have been neglecting my times with God. Notice how quiet time didn’t even make my previous list.
When busy seasons come the first things to go is our quiet times, attending church, small groups etc. The very things that give us life, are the things we sacrifice first. Well, let me not generalise, maybe it’s just me. I’ve been challenged by the story of Mary recently. Yes, that old familiar story:
While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”
The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42 CSB
I find myself stopping at “one thing is necessary”. Only one thing.
Counter-cultural
It makes me wonder about all the other things I keep myself busy with sometimes. Let’s not forget that what Martha was doing at the time was culturally very appropriate. In fact, what Mary was doing was pretty scandalous. For a woman to sit among the men listening to a teacher? It was unheard of in those times.
I suppose it’s culturally appropriate for me to work in a few extra hours in the evenings to make sure I get ahead in my job. It’s probably culturally appropriate for me to show up for coffee dates, make dinners and do the dishes. There are so many things that make sense to culture. Only one thing is necessary though. It’s interesting that the passage emphasises the fact that Mary made a choice. If only one thing is needed, it means that I have to choose that one thing. It means that I have to intentionally turn away from the busy work of life to turn my attention to Jesus.
Start small
It’s heading towards the end of the year. The craziness of life, work, family and all the rest is starting to pick up and let’s be honest… we’re all just pushing through for that December holiday on the horizon. Over the last few weeks, I have really felt God challenge me to choose the one thing that is necessary. To not be caught up in the crazy, but to stay low. To stay close to His feet with my eyes on Him.
Maybe you’re reading this and you feel that slight little nudge of conviction. Perhaps you, like me, have been so busy Martha-ing that you are struggling to see where the Mary part will even fit.
Oh dear friend, our Jesus is so good and so kind that in our weakest of moments He gives grace.
Start small. To go from running around, to forcing yourself to sit in a prayer for 2 hours is a massive stretch. Maybe taking 10 minutes from a 30 min lunch break to read and meditate on a scripture is a start? Maybe instead of sitting at your desk and eating your lunch, go find a bench outside and just turn your heart towards God for a few minutes. We can often glamorise the big 3 hour quiet time that we forget that Jesus actually wants our whole day. For some, those extended sessions are just not a practical daily practice in this life season.
It’s a lifestyle
Small steps lead to bigger steps. And bigger steps lead to big leaps. I have tried many times to start radical practices, because you know… it’ll make me more holy. Well, that may be so, but after three days all of my good intentions are gone and I’m left with a massive feeling of disappointment. Sitting at Jesus’ feet is a lifestyle, more than just a moment. Choosing the only thing that is necessary is a reality we need to live out in every area of our life.
It may feel like a pressured statement. But friends, I take great comfort in Jesus’ words. When I feel confused on what to do, when I’m not sure what choice I need to make between sweeping the floors or doing the washing, I remember that only one thing is truly needed. Now, don’t get me wrong, the practical things of life still needs to happen. Clothes will always need to be washed, work will always need to be done and dinners will always need to be made. The beautiful thing is though, that as I fill up on the one necessary thing, the other things become more of a joy to do. As my heart is filled with Jesus, with His word, my time doing the dishes is no longer about doing the dishes. It’s a time to ponder what I read or to re-listen to that amazing worship song.
It’s ironic that during the busiest and toughest seasons of my life, I struggle to find time for the Person that will help me through.
Let’s go together
So, what do you say? Shall we try it together? Shall we end this year stronger than we have before, because we chose the one thing that truly matters? We chose to sit at the feet of Jesus. Let’s do the one thing that doesn’t make sense during these busy months. Let’s be counter-cultural and choose to sit still, when the whole world expects us to run around, filled with anxiety.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
PS. Remember to join us on the 29th of October at our Blooming Beautiful event. This is a great opportunity to get low and sit at Jesus’ feet along with some other beautiful ladies. Click here for more information.
