Summer Playlist | Track 04

My husband and I love a good road trip, which is ideal as much of our married and ministerial life has included countless miles on the road. And while the food you find at a roadside stop isn't always the healthiest, it does, unfortunately, often hit the spot for that 257-mile marker, with 257 more to go. You've probably heard jokes about the "bonus fry" you discover at the bottom of the bag. You think you've finished the food and then you see it: one more glorious waffle fry that awaits your discovery!

As I was crafting this month's microblog series on the Summer Lifestyle Playlist, the words "there's more" leapt to my heart and mind. Sometimes more isn't better:

• more weight on those scales after a 10-day road trip

• more emails to check after the vacation

• more bills to pay with all the back-to-school expenses looming

• more funerals to plan than usual or hospital visits with church family members who are struggling

But the more I am referencing today for our Summer Playlist finale is the craving for more of God's presence, more of the Holy Spirit's work, more from His Word.

It is easy for anyone who has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and served Him for a few years to allow time in His presence to become mundane and loaded with lethargy. But for those who serve in vocational ministry, the temptation to unintentionally detach from the Mary-posture to keep the Martha-productivity hoppin' and poppin' happens more frequently than we'd all like to admit.

As has been said so often here at Sanctuary, the word sanctuary is defined as "a place of refuge or safety". Yet many ministry wives are desperate to find a haven, a place of healing. What is a place of refuge for our congregants is a workplace for us. So, how do we cut ties with Martha, temporarily-speaking, in order to become reacquainted with Mary? Remember, Jesus lovingly reminded Martha, "There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42 NLT)

He wants more of you, so you can have more of Him.

The one thing worth being concerned about has not become diluted with time. In fact, it is an endless reservoir, One we can never exhaust. Dear friend, you and I have access to MORE from our precious Savior Jesus Christ. And whatever it is you're needing today, I know that He has exceedingly, abundantly, above all you can ask, think, or imagine in store for you (Eph 3:20). If you're feeling a little dry today, wondering how to even find the heart and head space to desire more from Him, ask the Holy Spirit for a renewed craving for what He has to offer. He wants more of you, so you can have more of Him.

Summer Playlist, Track 04: There's (so much) more.