Keeping Fresh When You're Frantic

A Note from Jill Briscoe

Dear Friends,

We can all relate to the ongoing need for renewal in the midst of our busy day. However, we are seemingly on the run from early morning till late at night and can't seem to find the precious minutes to be stillbe still. Over and over again women tell me what an ongoing struggle this is for them. I quite understand. It's an ongoing struggle for me too!

In Luke 10 we meet Martha who was seemingly too busy to be blessed. Jesus did not rebuke her busyness but rather her anxiety about it. He would take our worry about our work away from us, relieving us of the stress that is so often the straw that breaks the camel's back. Martha's problem is so often ours. We are distracted by our much servingdistracted by our much serving and become as someone has said more concerned with the work of the Lord than the Lord of the work!more concerned with the work of the Lord than the Lord of the work! It is so easy to do.

There was nothing wrong with Martha's love and devotion for Jesus. But busyness that hustles out to meet the day without meeting Jesus first, is busyness that will soon be busy bossing everyone around, getting irritated, self-righteous, and downright hostile with everyone in sight. What is more, it is an activity that will end up in an accusing, Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! (Luke 10:40)

Of course He cares! He would have us join Mary at His feet so He can tell us how much He cares. You might be tempted to think it was easy for Mary. She was obviously of a very different temperament than her sister. But we must be careful; we must not presume we really know what Mary's temperament was like. Some commentators point out that Jesus said she had chosenchosen the better part. If this was the case, they suggest, perhaps she was Martha before she was MaryMartha before she was Mary. That's a neat thought. Maybe Mary was even more of a Martha than Martha! The point is, whatever our temperament or inclination to worship, we all all need to make a daily choice to meet Him some time, some place that fits our particular schedule. If we do, we will go out to serve with His blessing resting on our service, His peace in our hearts, His joy on our lips. If we don't take time to be renewed, we'll end up receiving a well-earned rebuke at the end of the day!

So come ye apart and rest awhile—as Jesus invited you. If you don't, you may well find yourself coming apart!

Finally take some for the various suggestions throughout this book and implement them into your own time with God; you might just discover how your relationship with God and life can become freshened instead of frantic!

In His Joy,

Jill Briscoe


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