Thoughts for the Journey from Bill Myers

As an author and film producer, Bill Myers’s work has won over 70 national and international awards including the C.S. Lewis Honor Award. His books and videos, which include Eli and McGee and Me, have sold 8 million copies. His most recent book, The Jesus Experience - Journey Deeper into the Heart of God, explores how he went from a burned-out evangelical to someone head-over-heels in love with his Creator. www.billmyers.com

CHOOSING THE BETTER

(Martha) 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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10-38-42

One morning, I was minding my own business, studying and praying, when out of the blue, a thought formed in my head. There was no voice, no choir of angels. Not even a burning rose bush. But it was such a strange thought I was pretty sure it wasn’t my own:

Son, if I were to put you in a coma and you could not talk to others about Me, could not serve Me in any way . . . would I be enough for you?”

I was startled, to say the least. And every time I tried to come up with the expected, holy-man-of-God answer, truth kept getting in the way. So I did my best to change the subject.

“Too bad about those Dodgers last night,” I said. “You ever going to give them a hand in winning?”

                 

Would I be enough?

        

“Listen, You know about my kid’s new boyfriend. I really think she could do better.

What say if You—”

                 

Would I be enough?

        

“Well, look at the time. Got that deadline coming up, better get back to work, but thanks for—”

                 

Would I be enough?

        

I tell you, for a random thought, it was pretty persistent. And so, with no other alternative, I gave my most honest—and painful—answer:

                 

“No, Lord. You would not be enough.”

        

Fortunately, there was no bolt of lightning. No angry earthquake. Not even the stern clearing of an Eternal Throat. Just the quiet and gentle sense that we were about to begin another adventure.

The adventure of learning my primary purpose was to abide with God -- to be His son and friend, not His servant and slave. My parents didn’t conceive and give birth to me to mow the lawn and do household chores. They had me so they could enjoy my company and so I could enjoy theirs. Yes, service happens, but it comes out of that friendship and fellowship. Never, never, never was it intended to come before it.