Giving The Gift God Desires

So often we give God the gift we think he needs rather than take time to find out what he desires. We make promises and New Year's resolutions to be more heavenly minded. We make goals to be more loving and less selfish. We look for opportunities to serve. And everything we do is important. All of it is good. The problem is, contrary to popular belief, we can't do it all. We're not even supposed to try. Paul explained just that in Romans 12. He said that the body of Christ has many members, and each of them has a different gifting-which means each has a different job to do. Jesus' words to Martha are words to those of us who are overextended in service as well: "Only one thing is needed." We must take time to sit at Jesus' feet, to worship him, to get to know him better. Even if I have a burden for a certain need or project, my interest or concern is not a surefire sign that I need to be in charge. God may only be calling me to pray that the right person will rise up to accomplish it. What's more, I may be stealing someone else's blessing when I assume I must do it all. It is a costly mistake, for often, when the Holy Spirit does ask something of me, I'm either knee deep in another project or too exhausted from my latest exercise in futility to do what God wants of me. (From: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Wow-I feel like she wrote that book for me in mind with each part I study. It kinda hurts when it hits home like that. All my life I have wanted to please and do for others, thinking I was doing the "good" thing. Have I ever been more wrong?? I never really thought about the fact that I was stealing someone else's blessing. I am trying to change what has been conditioned in me for a life time-and with God's help I will get there. Change is hard but often very good. God Bless!