Stepping Stones: Which Child Do You Want

Transformational Tip
Martha is great at completing all her homework on time, gets pretty good grades, does all her chores without whining or being nagged, is respectful and courteous, and follows the house rules. But Martha doesn't like you, isn't interested in you, your opinion is irrelevant and worthless to her, doesn't care what excites or bothers you, isn't interested in cheering you up when you are sad, doesn't want to hang out with you, and when you ask her to go on an errand, she says "No".
Mary isn't so good about her homework assignments, underachieves at school at times, needs reminders to do her chores, is occasionally sassy, and at times violates some house rules. Mary, though, really loves you, cares about you, values you opinion, wisdom, and input, is interested in your life, your heart, what makes you happy or sad....she hurts when you hurt, and celebrates when you are happy. Mary, loves to spend time with you sharing her heart, dreams, ideas, and loves to do any activity with you. When you ask her to go on an errand with you, she says, "Love to, cause I wanted to get your opinions about this new CD I just got but I am not sure about." Which child would you choose? Glorifying and enjoying God should be the highest priority in you life. God would love our obedience and intimate relationship....but if it was one or the other, He chooses relationship. Remember, keeping all the commandments but not having a relationship with God thru Jesus, sentences us to eternal suffering. Messing up the commandments, but receiving Christ's death as atonement for those sins, allows us eternal relationship with God and a place in His kingdom forever.
Maintaining a tidy, structured life should not be your priority. Give up trying to keep everything under control and keeping everyone happy. These are impossible tasks and waste your precious energy. Pursue your relationship with Him and the obedience will follow out of gratitude for His amazing grace.

Prayer
I declare to You my Lord that glorifying You is a much higher priority than maintaining order in my life. I know if I focus on You, I will have the appropriate order. While I make this commitment to You, I confess I do spend too much energy on keeping things under control. When I do this, I lose sight of You. I want my life to display the deep desire I have in my heart; to glorify You in carefree cheerfulness.
In Jesus' redeeming name, AMEN

The Truth
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
John 17:4-5
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar
Psalm 139: 1-2
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Luke 23:39-43