“But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” –Luke 10:42
I think about Mary of Bethany a lot. I think about her a lot, because I need to think about her a lot. I need to think about her, because I need to remember the one choice that defined her life. I need to remember, because I want the choice that defined her life … to define mine.
Her life is my plumb line. Her pursuit of intimacy with Jesus — her desire to be near him no matter what — is the one truly needful thing. It is the one thing I desperately desire. It is the one choice that, above all, I pray will mark my life. Choosing to seek him — sit with him — listen to him — worship him — as the highest priority of my life is the most important choice I will ever make …
It’s also the one thing that can never be taken away.
A lot of things in life come and go. Things change from season to season, year to year, and even day-to-day. Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down. Sometimes I’m fired up, sometimes I’m subdued. Sometimes I’m filled with faith, sometimes I’m filled with fear and insecurity.
But I’m always secure in him.
I’m secure in him because my proximity to his heart isn’t determined by how well I’m doing in any given area of life. Intimacy with Jesus, is never based on performance or circumstances. It’s simply dependent upon coming to him –drawing near to him — believing him.
It’s dependent upon believing in what he has already done, rather than on how well I am, or am not, doing on that particular day.
There are a lot of things I don’t get right. Or at least a lot of things I don’t consistently get right. But there is one thing I do consistently get right …
I get to him.
I get into his presence. I get before his gaze. I get into his arms.
I get to his heart.
I can get to him because I know …
~The price has been paid ~The veil has been torn ~The way has been made ~The door is standing open ~His arms are standing open ~His heart is open …For me … for you … always.
All we have to do come. We just have to choose to come.
Anytime.
Anywhere.
And in any condition.
It’s the ONE needful thing.
And it won’t be taken away.
Lord, thank you that I am yours and you are mine–always. Thank you for loving me–always. Thank you for believing in me–always. I’m so grateful that you never limit my access to you based on my feelings, performance, or circumstances. You just invite me into your presence–always. And when I say ‘yes’–when I make that choice to be with you–it will NOT be taken away from me. Not now, not ever. In your name, Jesus–Amen
Cindy Powell 
Thank you for the encouragement to get nearer and nearer to Jesus. I have been a follower of Him for many years but still have fear of His coming to earth as a man. Men have done terrible, terrible things to me that I have not been able to let go of – yet. As a result, I still run to food to help me with distress. I used to run to booze, but not for a very long time now. I know I need to run to Christ for comfort from the cares of this world – but I am afraid to get close to Him. I know He loves me with an everlasting love but still I hide.
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I think we all have a tendency to hide in one way or another (no doubt inherited from Adam and Eve when they hid from God in the garden). The great thing about our God is that (just like he did with Adam), he calls out to us and seeks us even in our hiding places. Jesus is so patient with us and is forever seeking to reveal more of His heart. He loves that you desire to trust Him more–and you will 🙂
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It’s really nice to hear someone who understands where I’m coming from in my fear of Christ. I’ve never thought about Adam & Eve’s hiding from God before. That makes total, total, sense!!
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