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Searching my heart, this 2024 Fall Evangelical Services and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC), has been a big reminder for me: to understand the value of being quiet in the Lord.
Like many other brothers and sisters in the church, I have many duties: leading Bible studies, interpreting, organizing activities, writing articles for church publication, and so on. About a month before the Fall ESSC these tasks piled up, creating a peak period of busyness. Amid my hectic personal life, having to keep producing deliverables out made me physically and mentally exhausted.
But this time, during the ESSC, the church didn’t assign me extra works. This gave me the chance to focus on listening to sermons and praying earnestly; I could become quiet in the Lord. I believe this is the wonderful arrangement of Lord Jesus, because He knows what the best servitude is.
In Luke chapter 10, it talks about such servitude. Let’s quietly read this bible passage.
Luke Chapter 10:38-42
“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Martha was a very enthusiastic sister with many duties to serve. But because she had too much to do, she became upset, wondering why her sister Mary didn’t help her. Lord Jesus pointed out that Martha was worried and troubled about many things. At the same time, He highly approved of Mary’s actions because she knew how to be quiet, draw near to God, and listen to His words.
I feel that in recent years, for quite a long time, I have been like this worried and upset Martha. When I serve in the church, I have felt bitterness. But this ESSC made me rethink my role as a Christian. Honestly, how long has it been since I seriously studied the bible to seek God’s truth?
I realize that in recent years, my bible studies have been for producing content: for leading bible studies, writing articles, teaching basic faith classes, planning church development, and finding solutions to faith issues. But I seem to have lost the pure heart I had at the beginning, which is to know God and understand Him.
The theme of this ESSC was “All Things Have Become New.” For me, it also means to have a new start. The bible says, don’t leave your first love. Repent and do the first works. (Revelation 2:4-5) For me, this repentance is to return to the pure faith I had at the beginning—to know God, and to change myself.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
I hope everyone can find this devotion as Mary’s–to be quiet, to draw near to the Jesus, and to listen to His voice.
Please find our church location below:
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.
Friday Evening Service: 7:50PM – 9:00PM
Saturday Morning Service: 10:50AM – 12:00Noon
Saturday Afternoon Service: 1:30PM – 2:40PM
Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org