Leaving Behind Agendas For Jesus
Recently, the Lord has been speaking to me about laying down my agenda in all aspects of my life. Setting aside my schedule, my time, my expectations and making space to be with Him. I’m learning to put all of those things aside because I’ve been given an invitation to meet with the King.
We are being invited daily to meet with Jesus. This is an invitation that is continual. It is constant and never expires. What a true honor and privilege it is to be able to come before the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and meet with Him.
We are so blessed to be able to freely worship Him, but also that we have free access to Him and to His presence at all times. The veil has been torn; we are no longer separated from God’s presence because of the work that Jesus did on the cross, taking on our sins so that we may be blameless if we only believe and receive the gift that He has offered us. The gift that was bought at such a price, but freely given. We can boldly and freely enter into and be completely consumed by God’s glorious and magnificent presence simply because we have a covering of Jesus’ blood that is over us. It is by the blood of Jesus that we have access to the Holy of holies, and we get to be in the presence of God at any time.
“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father”
Ephesians 2:18
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
Hebrews 10:19-22
Who am I to set an agenda, come to God with my agenda or put God on a timer? And why would I want to come that way?
Let us say, Jesus, come and do what YOU want to do. I just want to look at you and behold your beauty. I don’t want to leave until you dismiss me. I don’t want to miss a moment with you because I set my agenda above you.
When we worship, it is not the introduction or the prelude to the rest of a church service. It is an invitation to enter into the glorious presence of our King and behold Him. When we’re reading our bibles and spending time in prayer, is there an ulterior motive behind it? Is it because we want to get something? Or want to check a box? Or is it because we simply desire to spend time with our Father and be in His beautiful presence and glorious embrace?
Many times, we go to the Lord (whether we realize it or not) to get or gain something for ourselves. But what if we shift our mindset, so instead of spending time with Him to GET something, we go to Him to GIVE something? The beautiful thing is that Jesus does not expect us to give anything, but we are able to give Him the gift of our hearts, our lives, our worship, love, and adoration.
Like the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10. Jesus and His disciples were welcomed into the home of Martha. Martha was busy and distracted by all that needed to be done for her guests, but her sister Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, just listening to Him. Martha was upset that Mary was not helping her prepare things, but Jesus responds by saying, “Martha, Martha, 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.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Where do you find yourself? Are you busy, distracted, and worried about all that’s on your schedule? Maybe you gladly welcome Jesus into your home but are too distracted or overwhelmed to rest in Him. Or… do find yourself sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His every word, giving Him your full attention.
Or even the story of the sinful woman who sat at Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her tears, kissing them, and pouring perfume on Him. She saw His worth, His beauty, and she gave Jesus something that cost her.
Like Mary and this woman, they found what mattered most. Not in doing things or being sinless, but simply sitting at the feet of their Savior and pouring out their love onto Him.
I believe God wants to take us deeper. To do that, we may have to get out of our own way and lay it all down before Him. It may be uncomfortable at first, but I want to encourage you not to rush your time spent with Jesus. Even if you don’t “feel” like it… sit in His presence a little bit longer. Don’t miss something God wants to say or do because you were quick to move on.
Lord, I am sorry for setting my agenda before you, and I ask for forgiveness. Thank you for the sacrifice that you made on the cross so that I can be with you and have access to you at any moment. Would you place a desire in me to simply be with you and love you, no conditions? Help me to just sit at your feet and pour out my love. Lord, would you take me deeper, I am open. I love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.