On Friday, I drove with a friend to Scotland Neck for a short overnight visit. We were on a mission. One we did not discover until enroute. This was a relatively new friend. We've met several times over business issues, we frequently exchange emails. We've never really chatted as friends. While enroute Sharon, the quiet one stunned me with her words. "I keep quiet when I'm around you because I'm listening for what you will say." The impact of her words would take on greater impact as the weekend progressed. We returned last night.

This morning I purposed to write about what happened during our visit at a Pastor's home.What follows is an article I wrote at 8AM this morning.

What is the mark of a successful quiet time?

“I sang. I read the Word but I didn’t listen.” The response of our host rolled off her tongue thoughtlessly. I was stunned with the confession knowing the one who spoke did not hear it as such. The truth came out, possibly before she realized what she was saying. Going through the motions but unaware of the void, her plight was obvious. “I didn’t listen!” The words were boastfully stated by a pastor’s wife who was preparing to teach a Sunday school lesson.

“I didn’t listen!”

Jesus spoke of this disease in Matthew 13:9. Fat hearts, dull of hearing, closed eyes. They just don’t see the value in listening. Jeremiah said it more poignantly. “Who hath marked His Word and heard it?” Jer 23:18. It was an admonition towards the prophets who spoke what was in their own heart. They were not listening to the Lord nor speaking on His behalf. As a result, the people did not hear nor did they turn.

We sat at the breakfast table. The chattering continued. Words without substance or impact dominated the conversation. I recognized my own reactions. There was no need to listen. I’d heard it all before. Same complaints, same stories, same chatter.

Godless chatter causes your ears to become dull.

There is one premiere requirement for a child of God, one discipline that surpasses all else. Ignore it! Shun it! Fail to appreciate its importance and suffer the devastating results. It is identified in the garden. It is epitomized in Revelations and every book in between. “If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him.”

Mary got it! She understood! He is here and He came to say something important. His words are life. She positioned herself to hear. At his feet she humbled herself without even a whimper. She was ready to be and confident Her teacher would impart words of life. She didn’t ask permission to attend the class, nor is there evidence an invitation rallied her to his feet as He taught his disciples. She chose to follow him. She chose to be there. She chose to learn of Him. She quieted her heart and stilled her mind that…she might hear. Mary, sat at his feet and listened to his Word. We are given the same choice.

How could she ignore the obvious ranting from the lips of one who prided herself with perpetual busy-ness? How could she put off the ever increasing to do list? What made the difference in her actions? What caused Martha to stand over Jesus and demand her own way? What caused Mary to sit at his feet?

Could Mary somehow have understood the Lord’s words in Rev 3:17-20? Is it possible she knew how wretched, miserable, naked, blind and poor she was. Did she come expecting His words to eradicate those diseases? Could she have known that? Do we?

Why did Martha invite Jesus in to her house but could not see why He had come? Why do we?

Mary believed this man was more than a friend. He was more than an out of town guest. Martha saw him as her own law-enforcement officer. She was her sister’s schedule keeper. But she was not at peace. The harsh-taskmasters spoke their demands. The whip-cracking anxiety and slave master of troubled thougts insisted on busyness. Mary chose to be about the Father’s business. Mary chose to be taught of Him. As a result, she saw her Master silence the voice of her enemy. Could this be a lesson for us as well? Sit at his feet…He will silence the enemy.

Martha thought she had something to say to Jesus. Mary believed Jesus had something to say to her, about her and on her behalf.

Why sing to Him and ignore His counsel? Why invite Him in and disregard His reason for coming? Why go to Him and voice your troubles, if like Martha, you refuse to bow your knee, humble your heart and know, “He came to destroy the works of the evil one.” Martha’s devotion to the Lord was not quiet. It was filled with anxious wondering and troubled thoughts. Are you, like Martha, squandering your time with the Lord? Are you voicing your troubles anxious for him to change something you don’t like? Have you ever asked yourself the question? “Am I allowing Him to speak? Am I listening? Am I looking unto My Great High Priest?

Mary knew what it was like to quiet herself. She refused to treat Him as a common guest. She knew Him as Master. She respected Him as Teacher. She prepared and positioned herself to listen. Habakkuk understood about positioning as well. “I will see what He will say.” Our eyes must be opened to see and comprehend who He is.

Martha saw a house guest.

Mary saw the Lord,
her Rabbi ,
her Master,
her Advocate,
her Deliverer
and yes,
her Intercessor.

Mary learned the lesson well. She saw the voice of her enemy silenced. When He speaks who can annul it?

Mary answered not a word.

That is the mark of a successful quiet time.


"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Is 55:2,3 KJ





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