Clean the Garage or Go on a Date?
A meditation from Luke 10
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 10:41-42, ESV)
Corinne and I have been married for 17 years. I don’t think that makes me an “expert” on marriage, but I’ve learned a few things along the way. For example, there are different ways of spending time together. Sometimes, we lounge in our PJs with coffee while the kids watch Saturday morning cartoons. Sometimes, we throw on old clothes and tackle the garage, working on a project together. We may go for a walk, cook a meal together, or take the kids for a bike ride. And sometimes, we dress in nice clothes and go on a date. It’s important for a healthy marriage to connect in all of those ways.
Similarly, we all connect with God in various ways, and they are important if we want to have a close relationship with him. Sometimes, we wake up, grab a cup of coffee and the Bible, and sit on the couch in our PJs. Sometimes, we help someone else, volunteer in the nursery, or set up chairs at church, working with God. We might join a Bible study and learn with God. And sometimes (hopefully weekly), we dress a little nicer and head to the Sunday morning service to worship God.
Here’s the thing: we need all these connections. It’s easy to think we don’t need to attend worship to have a relationship with God. But that’s like a husband who says he doesn’t need to take his wife on a date because they cleaned the garage together. Try that with your wife and see how it goes! Dates are different than projects. Both can be quality time, but they’re not interchangeable.
Make the weekly commitment to set yourself aside and join your church family to worship God and hear him speak. Nothing can replace that time. It’s the good portion.