We were drinking tea in a friend's kitchen when she said to me, "You know, when we bought this house, I thought my life was finally perfect. I have a great family, a good job, more possessions than I ever dreamed of having, this wonderful house…. So—I don’t understand—why am I still not happy?"

We all dream of being happy. But what, exactly, is happiness?

Most of us have said we’d be happy if we just had some more money, better health, a spouse, a child, a better job, more time…and the list goes on. Except, the truth is, even when we get whatever we thought would make us happy, we realize there’s just one more thing, and then one more…. Why else would well-to-do people keep working 24/7 and never take time to enjoy what they have? Why do drop-dead gorgeous people go to any lengths to add to their beauty? Why do corporate workers seek promotion after promotion, never saying, “Good enough. I'll stay here where I’m comfortable.” And then there’s the compulsion to find the perfect match, and the marriage-go-round, with its constant lure of greener pastures and easy divorce. The truth is, it’s extremely rare for people to say they’re content with what they have….

Read the rest of "As Each Part Does Its Work" column 2 as a pdf

As I reminisce over the past and look to the future, I realize that I have missed the most critical element. I do not really know him—certainly not the way I should after all these years.

Strange. If you had asked me who I identify with in the story of Mary and Martha, I would have immediately voted for Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, rather than Martha, scurrying around to provide what he hadn’t requested. But now I realize that I have actually been Martha. While devoting many hours to doing things for God and for his church, I have neglected to spend time with him.

Oh, I’ve read my Bible, believed it, studied it, memorized it, taught it. I’ve prayed for God’s blessings and help in planning and carrying out the work I’ve done for him. I’ve prayed, believing, for needs. I’ve told others about God—even had the privilege of leading people to him and helping them grow.

But I have not often spent quality time with him. I have not been Mary. Worse, I’ve taken him for granted—assumed that he understood why I was too busy to take time to idly sit with him. After all, I had lessons to prepare, newsletters to get out, meetings to plan….Time for him later, when my work here is done. Later, when we’re in Heaven together. When there isn’t so much to do….

Read the rest of Mary or Martha, Which One Am I?"as a pdf. 

(This article is the 2nd of 4 articles in the  "21st Century Pilgrim series, which was published first in the Canadian Baptist in 1994.)

Read the rest of this 4-part series: 

"But What About Those Gates of Hell?" as a pdf. 1st in the series of 4 "21st Century Pilgrim" articles.

"What Should We Do About Those Lost Sheep, Lord?" 3rd in the series of 4 "21st Century Pilgrim" articles.

"Good Guys, Bad Guys, and a Longing for the Kingdom" 4th in the series of 4 "21st Century Pilgrim" articles.