Having a Quiet Heart

There was the frantic clanking of pots and pans, the harsh sound of broom bristles against dirt floors and the sweet aroma of hot vegetable stew. The roughness of dirt residing on skin and beads of sweat collecting on one’s brow was visibly apparent. Jesus was here to visit! There was so much to do, in so little time!

In all the chaos of the preparations, there was but one heart that yearned to catch every word that slipped from the Master’s tongue. Determinedly, she fixed her eyes on His gentle face. His countenance was soft, but yet strong. Were these eyes truly able to see inside the windows of her soul? His heart, was it able to know every motive behind every action? His hands, were they the same hands that knit and formed her in her mother’s womb? His voice, was it the same voice that spoke worlds into existence and spun stars into the expanse? How could her mind wrap itself around such a revelation of undeniable truth and unfathomable depth? She was left in awe...

Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

As we can see from this passage, Mary was captivated by her Savior. She was enraptured by His love for her and she yearned to prove her affection in a tangible way. In scripture, it states, “He who has been forgiven much, loves much.” Mary, in an earlier chapter, came to Christ with her alabaster jar. She anointed his feet with her tears of repentance and wiped them with her hair. Since she had been forgiven by her Savior for so many things, she was then able in turn to love more than others who were not forgiven as much.

It has been assumed, by many others, that Mary’s alabaster jar was her dowry. A dowry being something she would give her husband if she were ever to be married. In addition, Jewish women, back in those days, never let their hair down in public. Only on their wedding nights did they show themselves in that manner. Truly, Mary unashamedly exposed herself in the presence of her Lord. She desired Him to understand the genuineness of her adoration. In Mary’s eyes, Christ was the only thing on earth that mattered most to her.

Psalms 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My heart and flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forevermore.

Psalms 27:4
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Psalms 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Now, on the other hand, Martha was not all wrong in her service to the Lord. Often, life calls us to be busy with responsibilities and to carry out specific duties, whether it is school or work. But scripture clearly states that Martha was, “distracted”. How many distractions are set up as pit falls this time of year, with it almost being Christmas? Repeatedly, we fill up our calendars with a considerable amount of “good things” but end up distracting ourselves from what really matters most to the Father, which is a heart ultimately after Him.

Guys and Girls, together, let’s learn to keep a quiet heart before the Lord, honoring Him and worshiping Him with reverence and joy in everything we do! What can we do in our own personal lives this Christmas season to pour our love on Jesus?

Alabaster Jar
~Zach Neese
This alabaster jar, is all I have of worth
I break it at you feet Lord, it’s less than you deserve
You’re far more beautiful, more precious than the oil
The sum of my desires, and the fullness of my joy
Like you spilled your blood, I spill my heart
As an offering to my King

Here I am, take me
As an offering
Here I am, giving
Every heartbeat
For your glory
Take me

This time that I have left, is all I have of worth
I lay it at your feet Lord, it’s less than you deserve
And though I’ve little strength, and though my days are few
You gave your life for me, so I will live my life for you
Like you spilled your blood, I spill my heart,
As an offering to my King

Worthy, worthy, you are worthy
Worthy is the Lord

Pour My Love on You
~Phillips, Craig And Dean
I don’t know how to say exactly how I feel
And I can’t begin to tell You what your love has meant
I’m lost for words
Is there a way to show the passion in my heart
Can I express how truly great I think You are
My dearest Friend
Lord this is my desire
To pour my love on You

Chorus:
Like oil upon Your feet
Like wine for You to drink
Like water from my heart
I pour my love on You
If praise is like perfume
I’ll lavish mine on You
Till every drop is gone
I’ll pour my love on You

Written by: Stephanie Carrillo and Melanie Smith