Guest Devotional - Cheryl Holmes

What does it look like to be considered a woman after God’s own heart? Does that mean attending church, giving money to the church, helping the poor, or spending quiet time with God? I have been reading “A Woman after God’s Own Heart,” by Elizabeth George. In her book, she says that in order to make this heart change, I need to follow God in every area of life by nurturing my relationship with Him, loving my husband, enjoying my children, caring for my home, experiencing personal growth, and giving to others. I want us to delve deeper into the part about nurturing our relationship with Him.

If we look at Luke 10:42 it says, “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Jesus was in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Martha was busy in the kitchen preparing food for the guests and she became agitated because Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him teach instead of helping her. She interrupts Jesus’ teaching and says to Him, “Don’t you care that I’m doing all the work by myself? Tell Mary to help me!” That’s when Jesus points out the one thing we all need to hear. It doesn’t matter if your to-do list is completed if you did not do the most important thing that we as Christians are called to do, which is to spend daily time with God. It doesn’t matter if your kitchen is dirty or the laundry got put away or if you responded to all your emails. If you did not stop and get in God’s presence to spend time with Him and hear what He wanted to tell you today, then your time was not well spent.

So, today, choose God’s way at every opportunity. In every decision, word, thought, and response, choose God’s way. Acknowledge God and seek His direction and He will say to you, “This is the way, walk in it.” - Isaiah 30:21