Sometimes I can slip into the pit of anxiety, especially during the Christmas season. My mind is preoccupied with decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping gifts, family gatherings, Christmas parties, and my ever-growing checklist. Funny! December is a season to worship the One who brings Peace, yet I am tempted to slip away from peace. What is one to do, when she wants to sit and savor her Savior but the holiday is full of distractions?
I am learning a posture of peace, but it is not easy for me. Intentionally positioning myself in His presence is imperative for me to find peace. Can you relate?
I have been challenged recently by the posture of Mary in Scripture. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, is mentioned three times in the Bible. All three times she positioned herself at the feet of her Lord. Her posture preached her sermon. When studying Scripture, I found Mary sitting at His feet, pouring perfume on His feet and bowing at His feet.
First in Luke 10:38-43, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. “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 few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (NIV)
Mary quietly seized a moment to be with her Lord, even when there was work to be done. Mary found peace in His presence while Martha was worried and upset. Mary chose His presence before the pressing check-list. She listened to His words. Mary chose ‘the better thing.” Someone once said, “Sit before you serve.”
Secondly, Mary bowed at Jesus’s feet after Lazarus died. She left the Jews who came to her home to give comfort to meet the Comforter. When she saw Jesus, Mary fell at His feet. John 11: 1 – 44 records the story, but verse 32 reads, “When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at his feet.” While facing tragedy, Mary knew where to find peace. This peace is offered to me and you as well. Peace is found in His presence.
Thirdly, in John 12:1-8, Mary poured perfume on her Lord’s feet and dried His feet with her hair.
“Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.” (NIV)
Again, Martha was distracted by the prep. The disciples had questions and accusations, while Mary positioned herself at the feet of her Lord. She demonstrated an act of love for her King. She took a posture of worship. Mary was intentional. Mary placed herself in His presence with a posture of worship even with distractions around her. Jesus said that she anointed His feet for His burial. No one else seemed to have that insight, not even His inner circle. At Jesus’ feet is not just a posture of peace…it is also the posture of perspective.
You and I can chose the “better thing” as well. As we move towards Christmas my friend, I wish you peace from the Prince of Peace. There is no need to slip into the pit of anxiety, for comfort is found in His presence. His peace is available for you and me.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
