Lynn Jones: Choose the best things in life
By Lynn Jones
When Jesus and His disciples went to the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany, Mary “sat at his feet and heard his word.” (Luke 10:39). Jesus commended her for that and said, “Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her” (10:42).
We all face big choices in our lives. We need to follow Mary’s example and choose the best thing.
One of the best things in life is the Word of God. When you hear this Word and allow it to get down inside of you, Jesus said it will not be taken away from you. It can be a sustaining presence in your life.
Last summer while the days were bright and sunny, berries, peaches, and apples were ripe. Some of you took that ripe fruit and made jelly and preserves. Then, the seasons changed. The bright, warm days of summer gave way to cold winter’s days when the leaves of the fruit trees were bare. But on cold, icy mornings you could take those jellies and preserves, and they would bless and sustain you in the dead of winter.
The Word of God is like that. You study that Word, stash it away in your soul, and then on some cold, overwhelming day, you can find it again. You reach down into your soul and take up this Word, and it sustains and blesses you. Jesus said that it is that “good part” which shall not be taken away from you.
That is also true of the presence of God that we can know in times of great fellowship—sitting at the feet of Jesus. Days will come when you will not feel as close to Him. Days will come when the demands of life are overwhelming. What about His presence on those days?
I heard about a man who was elected to the U. S. Senate. As he was moving into his office in Washington, D.C., a friend came by to see him and said, “I want you to know that I will be with you through thick.” The new senator said, “What about thin?” The other man said, “Senator, welcome to Washington, D.C.”
That’s the way it is with much of the world. They are with us through thick and strangely absent in thin. But that is not the way it is with God. He is with us in every moment, especially difficult moments. When you come to have fellowship with Him, it is no short-term fellowship. This mighty God will not abandon you! Jesus said, “Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
That is His promise to you today as well. He will never leave you nor forsake you. I encourage you today, in your life, to choose this good part that shall never be taken away from you!
Lynn Jones is a retired pastor who lives in Oxford. He does supply preaching for churches in his area and often serves as an interim pastor. Jones is also an author, has written two books and writes a weekly newspaper column. He may be contacted at: kljones45@yahoo.com.
