Frustration Avoidance


My sister, Carrie, is an awesome cook. I think that if she hadn’t already invested almost forty years in the banking business she would be a chief somewhere or maybe a caterer. I’ve seen her move around her kitchen to whip-up some amazing dishes. Years ago I bragged on one of her dishes. She said it was a simple thing to make. She offered up the recipe from memory, naming off all the ingredients and their proportions and how to put it all together. I went home to try it out just like she described. I started over several times after leaving out some little something. I just made a mess of the whole thing. The harder I tried the more frustrated I became.

The book of Luke, in chapter ten verse thirty eight to forty two, tells of a situation between Jesus and two sisters, Mary and Martha.  Jesus was visiting their home and Martha was busy doing chores and preparing dinner in order to serve her guest.  While she did this, her sister Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to all Jesus taught.  The more Martha worked, the harder she tried, the more frustrated and angry she became until she couldn't take it anymore!  She pointed out her sister’s laziness, hoping Jesus would tell Mary to get up and help, only to be disappointed when he highly praised Mary calling her choice worthy.

What are you doing to please the Lord in your life?  Putting up the appearance of a perfect home?  Volunteering in the close closet?  Buying gifts for those in need?  These are wonderful ways to give of ourselves and serve the Lord, but don’t get caught in the trap of always trying to do things for God only to miss out on the opportunities to be with him.  We plan, work, and create trying to “do more”, yet only to be disappointed.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10).

God cares more about your devotion than about your résumé.  He cares more about your attitude than all the gold stars you have earned. Trying too hard to work for the Lord will only result in frustration.

You’re early into the New Year as you make resolutions of all you want to accomplish, be sure to pray and evaluate where you are in life and what Christ would have you to do for Him and His Church.  Be sure to take time this year to sit at His feet.  Commit to stop doing simply for doing’s sake.  Realize that before you can do God’s work, you must first be His person. There’s no better way to become all God intends for you than to spend time with Him. Make this your highest priority, and everything else will fall into place. 

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