As believers, we are often immersed in a service-focused culture, one that makes it easy to be fixated on what we do for God, rather than our identity in Him. Interestingly , it is not about performance when it comes to God, it is all about our hearts, about our relationship with Him.
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.16.7.KJV
Focusing on what we do for God can make us become duty-bound, subsequently
taking us to a position of striving to do more just because we have conditioned ourselves to believe that our worth is measured by our accomplishments, we, therefore, neglect the need to nurture our relationship with Him.
The story of Mary and Martha is one we can relate to as believers. One would have expected Jesus to commend Matha for trying to make him comfortable. After all she was busy going up and down just because of Him. But Look at what Jesus said
“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42 KJV
One thing is needful and that is having a relationship with Jesus! Beloved, this is the good part that no one can take away from us! When our devotion comes before our duty, we are bound to rely on God for empowerment The unction to function is released upon us. We have a clear understanding that we can do nothing without His enablement. Consistently striving to do more for God without nurturing and growing in our relationship with Him can drain us physically, spiritually, and emotionally and it can be detrimental to our walk with Him.
Beloved, let us prioritize nurturing our relationship with God, balancing our duties with devotion, let us depend on His strength rather than ours while focusing on honoring our Father, and making our relationship with Him our deepest longing.
May Grace be multiplied unto you in Jesus’ name
