A Lenten Devotional
Luke 10:38-42

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ 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!” ⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42

Worry, if not kept in check, can leave us emotionally drained, spiritually anxious, and even physically unwell. Yet, God calls us to trust him rather than be consumed by worry. For our faith to increase, our tendency to worry must decrease.

Lent is a time for self-reflection. How well do you keep worry in check?

In Luke 10, we see Martha, eager to host Jesus in her home, become overwhelmed with the many details of hospitality. While her intentions were good, her worry and distraction robbed her of the opportunity to be fully present with Jesus. In contrast, Mary chose to sit at the Lord’s feet, listening to His words. When Martha voiced her frustration, Jesus gently reminded her, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better.”

Worry is not a spiritual virtue; it is a human tendency. We worry about finances, health, relationships, politics, and countless other uncertainties. But what is worry? Worry is an anxious preoccupation with the future, often rooted in fear or doubt. Erma Bombeck famously said, “Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.” Worry drains our energy, clouds our judgment, and keeps us from fully trusting God.

Jesus was not dismissing Martha’s responsibilities; He was inviting her to shift her focus. There is a difference between worry and concern. Worry paralyzes us with fear over what might happen. Concern, on the other hand, acknowledges challenges and seeks solutions in faith.

Like Mary, we are called to prioritize the presence of Jesus above our anxieties. When we spend time in His presence—through prayer, Scripture, and worship—our perspective shifts, and our worries lose their grip. As Elizabeth George writes in Breaking the Worry Habit…Forever!, “Worry denies the power of God and produces no good results. Worry adds no value to your life. Eliminate it with God’s help.”

Reflection:
What are the things you tend to worry about the most?How can you replace worry with faith and deepen your trust in God? Have you asked God to help you eliminate your worry habit?

Prayer:
Lord, grant us the peace that surpasses understanding. Teach us to release our worries and rest in your presence. When we are tempted to be anxious, remind us that you are our refuge and strength. Help us, like Mary, to choose what is better—to sit at your feet and trust in your unfailing love. Amen.

On September 11, I always take the day off. I want to be in a peaceful quiet place praying. It is a day I both mourn and celebrate. –Genelle Guzman-McMillan, 9/11 Survivor

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

Every year on the anniversary of this catastrophic day, my mind goes back to that day when much about the world changed forever. I was sitting with a church member in her home, planning a memorial service for her husband, who had passed the night before. As we discussed details, a family member asked me to step into the kitchen, where she tearfully pointed to the TV. I watched in disbelief as the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center. My heart sank. I returned to the family, led them in prayer, and included our nation in my pleas, not yet aware of the unfolding catastrophe.

I hurried back to the church, where our staff had gathered in my study. Together, we watched as the second plane struck. After a few moments of shock and sorrow, we shifted into ministry mode, strategizing ways to support our congregation and community. As news continued to break, we learned of church members with family in New York or Washington, travelers in the affected areas, and those serving in the armed forces. We were all connected in some way to this tragedy, bound together in grief and prayer.

Twenty-three years later, the memories are still vivid and painful. We remember the fear, the uncertainty, the overwhelming sense of loss. But as followers of Christ, we also remember the source of our strength: our faith in God. Psalm 46:1 reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Though faith doesn’t shield us from tragedy, it guides us through it, giving us hope in a world that so often feels broken.

What can we learn as we navigate the crossroads of our haunting memories and our persistent faith? How do we move forward as followers of Jesus in a post-9/11 world?

1. Our security is found in God. Our faith serves as an anchor. Psalm 46:1 reminds us that God is our refuge and strength, especially in times of trouble. Even amid disaster, we can trust in God’s sustaining presence.
   
   
2. Refuse to live in fear.  II Timothy 1:7 reminds us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” Fear shouldn’t dictate our actions or hold us back from fulfilling God’s call.
   
   
3. Avoid responding to violence with violence. We cannot allow acts of terror to provoke us into hateful responses. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and be peacemakers in a world full of conflict.
   
   
4. Express gratitude for first responders. The bravery of firefighters, police officers, and paramedics on 9/11 gave us a new appreciation for those who run toward danger to save others. They remind us of the importance of selfless service.
   
   
5. Learn about other faiths.  As we strive to be salt and light, it’s crucial to distinguish between radicals who commit violence and those of faith groups who reject terror and promote peace.
   
   
6. Resist xenophobia. Fear of people from other countries or cultures only divides us further. We are called to love our neighbors, regardless of their background.Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl pleads, “If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”
   
   
7. Pray for our local, state, and national leaders. Navigating the complexities of terrorism and international relations is no easy task. Let us remember to pray for wisdom and discernment for those in authority.

In the years since 9/11, the world has changed, and we continue to process its impact. But as we remember that day, may we emerge more grateful for the heroes, more respectful of each other, and more grounded in our faith.

A year after the 9/11 attacks, I was asked by reporter, “How has the world changed since September 11, 2001?” The response I gave in 2002 is still relevant in 2020:

I believe the world has changed in so many ways that the majority of those changes are still being realized and processed.   From my perspective, it seems that our nation is going through the various stages of grief (shock, denial, depression, panic, guilt, resentment, and hope), and like any normal family system, not everyone is in the same stage.   Because the assault on 9/11 was a multi-dimensional attack on the spiritual, social, psychological, and economic fabric of our country, our sense of loss is more complex. Not only were thousands of lives lost, but so were many of our presuppositions, especially those regarding personal safety, economic security, and religious superiority. I hope and pray that we will emerge as individuals who are more circumspect, more patient, less acquisitive, and more spiritually grounded than we have previously demonstrated.