BOOST #020: Finding Balance in Work and Worship ⚖️
Drawing Near and Finding Stillness at His Feet
💖 DEVOTIONAL:
📖 SCRIPTURE:
"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 (ESV)
In the bustling town of Bethany, Jesus entered the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha, the diligent and industrious one, welcomed Him with open arms, quickly setting about the tasks necessary to be a good host. On the other hand, Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus, intently listening to His every word.
The Burden of Busyness
Like Martha, we often find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of busyness, striving to create, excel, and meet deadlines. As creative individuals, our minds are constantly buzzing with ideas, projects, and plans. While these pursuits are important, we must be cautious not to allow them to overshadow the essential aspect of our faith—our relationship with Jesus. In our quest for excellence, let us remember to create space in our lives to sit at His feet and be nourished by His presence.
The Art of Attentive Listening
Mary's choice to sit and listen at Jesus' feet speaks volumes to our creative hearts. In a world clamoring for our attention, it's vital that we cultivate a habit of attentive listening to our Creator. In the stillness of His presence, we receive divine inspiration, guidance, and wisdom. As we create, let us make time to listen to the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit, who will direct our paths and infuse our work with His transformative power.
Embracing the Balance
Jesus gently corrected Martha's anxiousness, saying, "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 10:41-42 ESV).
In those words, Jesus reminds us of the importance of finding a balance between our creative pursuits and our worship. It's not about forsaking our creative gifts; it's about prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else. When we set aside time for worship and prayer, we fill our hearts with the presence of God, aligning our creative endeavors with His purposes and giving them eternal significance.
As Christian creatives, we are called to embrace the lessons found in the story of Mary and Martha. Let us not be consumed by the busyness of our artistic endeavors, but rather find a balance between our creative expression and our worship. By prioritizing our relationship with Jesus, we receive the inspiration, guidance, and peace that transcend our human efforts.
May we be like Mary, choosing to sit at His feet and listen, allowing His presence to transform our creativity. In doing so, our work becomes an offering of worship, reflecting His glory to the world and drawing others closer to Him.
🙏 PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, help us find balance in our creative pursuits and worship. May we prioritize our relationship with You above all else. Guide us as we create, infusing our work with Your wisdom and inspiration. May our creativity be an offering of worship, reflecting Your glory to the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.
🤔💭 APPLICATION:
Consider your daily routine and schedule. How can you create intentional space for listening to God's voice and seeking His presence? Are there any adjustments you need to make to ensure that your creative endeavors are rooted in a deep connection with Him?
💡 TIP OF THE WEEK:
🕯️ Create Sacred Spaces: Designate a physical space where you can retreat and spend time in quiet reflection and worship. Fill this space with items that remind you of God's presence and invite creativity, such as meaningful artwork, books, or if you're a green thumb, plants!
Hey, creatives!
Happy Monday to all! As we embark on this new week, I wanted to take a moment to connect with you and share some exciting news. This month, we have started working on crafting a series of devotional materials that address the “creative-killers” that often hinder our artistic journeys—fear, doubt, burnout, comparison, creative blocks, and more.
We understand the unique challenges that can arise in the pursuit of our creative passions, and our aim is to provide you with practical and encouraging insights to help navigate these obstacles. Our desire is to see you thrive in your creativity and find renewed inspiration as you fulfill the unique purpose that God has placed within you.
Through these devotional materials, we hope to foster a community where we can openly discuss and overcome the challenges that we face as creatives. Together, we can conquer these “creative-killers” and find freedom from the trap of comparison.
In the weeks to come, you can expect to find updates regarding the progress of this project. If you have ideas, comments, and suggestions, don’t hesitate to send us a message over at Instagram or by dropping a comment below!
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration, breakthroughs, and renewed passion for your creative pursuits.
Brian Vee,
Founder, Indie Beginning
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