“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-10

We all have the gift of salvation; it’s just a matter of accepting it, applying it and doing what we are told. The problem with so many Christians (me included thrice!) is the ability to decipher what is from God and what is from our own will.

In the story of Martha and her sister Mary in Luke 10:38-41, it is illustrated that Martha is upset because she has just busted her tail to serve Jesus and his disciples and her lazy sister didn’t lift a finger to help. She hung out, shootin’ the breeze with Jesus, givin’ him a foot rub and listening to his stories, gettin’ all the attention, all the glory and to top it off, Jesus tells Martha she is the one who needs to change her ways, not Mary.

The way I see it is Mary was open and willing to LISTEN. She spent real time with Jesus, not rushing to serve out of gain of outside approval or pride or fear or ego but Mary had such a desire to hear what Jesus had to teach she ignored the distractions and gained what was better, a peace and serenity in the knowledge that she is saved by grace not by anything she could do but simply because she was a child of God.

I often forget to listen. I get wrapped up in the duties of the day and the need to present myself as someone trustworthy and responsible who succeeds at everything she tries. Ego tricks me into thinking I need to be doing rather than listening. When I remember to stop, pray and then stay stopped long enough to listen for a moment it’s amazing what grace I obtain from God.