This is a great reminder for me. The Word addresses this very issue with the story of Martha and Mary.
I can be so challenged at times living my life on the horizontal. I can be bombarded with issues of family, spouse, jobs, friendships, finances, etc. It can become overwhelming. In my early, unsaved years I would try and cope in my own strength. And If I’m not careful, I can revert back to that at times even now. It’s kind of my default position. I would come up with all these great horizontal strategies to deal with all of my life issues but many would fall short. But when my pursuit is vertical, my personal relationship with Christ, it is amazing how the horizontal just kind of falls into place. When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works. I for one would much rather have God, the Creator of the universe, working on my little problems than me.
God requires our first fruits and it is not just about money. It is also about our time of relationship, about sharing with our Heavenly Father, about pressing in. I have found over the years that He is a great rewarder of those who seek him. My belief is that He takes that 10% of our time and multiplies it to our benefit.
Be vertical minded.
Bruce,
I love your blogs. You should write a book. Reading this convicts all of us. It reminds us to be a Mary and not a Martha. Martha was too busy and missed out on the anointing of the Lord. The anointing permeated the room and Martha didn’t even feel it. On the other hand, Mary was basking in the presence of the Lord. She was soaking it up. Mary couldn’t get enough! That’s how I want to be. I want more, more of His presence, more of His glory, more of Him! Love, Karen