We… uh, I… am guilty of letting good things crowd out of my life the main thing.  Like Martha, I can get so busy doing “good things” that I miss the main thing that Mary sought.  What was it that Mary sought and received?  Sitting at the feet of the one she loved… Jesus.  Consider the Scripture…

Matthew 22:35 A lawyer, asked (Jesus) a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  38 This is the great and first commandment.  39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  40  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  12  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

The main thing for all believers is to love God.  Loving God is followed by loving others.  All God’s commands are built upon these main things.  The outworking of these results in something we don’t necessarily expect… trials.  In fact… trials ARE God’s will for those who are His(Do not be deceived about God’s will for suffering).  The good thing is that God has a purpose in our trials which will result in a final outcome.  Thus James 1:2-4, 12.

When we’re tested, God is bringing about steadfastness (maturity) that conforms us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).  This steadfastness is the work God does in us that is called sanctification… which results in holiness… without which no one will see GodGod makes sure that all of His true children will persevere under… in… and through trials.  Then… at the consummation in Glory… God will reward His faithful ones (All believers) with a crown of life.  The reason He does this is because they have proved their love for Him (James 1:12).

Therefore… for us today… as we deal with all manner of difficulty, we should turn our eyes toward heaven.  Realizing what God is doing NOW to prepare us for THEN.  Thus we do not rejoice in what is happening TO us… but what God is in the process of doing IN us and what the ultimate result will be: Eternity in heaven with Him… made to be just like His Son Jesus… wearing the crown of life.