Spending Time with the Lord

Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; LUKE 10:38-42

My stomach churned looking at my to-do list: Send out graduation announcements, study for final exams, review college prerequisite requirements, create an RSVP list for graduation parties...The list seemed to go on and on. I closed my eyes hoping that the pit in my stomach would go away, but the more I thought about the list, the worse I felt. I thought the days leading up to graduation were supposed to be fun and carefree, but here I was with a to-do list longer than I could have imagined.

How was I going to complete every task? I tried putting together a plan, but nothing seemed to shake away the nerves. It wasn’t until I opened my Bible and read Luke 10:38-42 that I received the answer I was seeking.

In this Bible passage, Jesus and His disciples are visiting the town of Bethany, where a woman named Martha opens her home to Him. Martha’s sister Mary is there, and while Mary is sitting at the Lord’s feet listening to Him, Martha is distracted by her to-do list. Martha becomes overwhelmed with all the preparations, and she comes to Jesus frustrated that her sister is not helping her. Jesus replies, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (verse 41-42).

I realized that, like Martha, I was so distracted by my to-do list that I forgot to spend time with the Lord. So I decided to pray about my list and set aside dedicated time to read the Word of God. In the final days leading up to graduation, I truly felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Whenever we are feeling anxious and overwhelmed with to-do lists and decisions about the future, Jesus always invites us to come to Him and rest. • Joy Jones

• What are a few things that have been weighing on you lately? Maybe it’s items on your to-do list, or decisions about your future, or something else entirely. Consider taking some time to give these to Jesus in prayer. It can be hard to trust Him with the things we care about, but remember, He went to the cross for you because He loves you and wants to carry every burden for you.

• Especially in busy seasons of life, it’s hard to prioritize spending intentional time with God. Yet praying and being in God’s Word, both together and with fellow Christians, are vital to the Christian life. What are some practical ways you can set aside time with Jesus this week?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)