Sunday: The Rush of Life
Daily Lesson for Sunday 31st of May 2026
It had been a very busy week. Although she knew there was a lot to be done before Sabbath, the urgent seemed to consume the important, and before she knew it, the sun had gone down. The family shared a special Friday night meal and worship together.
But when Sabbath morning came and she woke up early, she couldn’t help noticing the dirty bathroom, which she wiped down. Then she saw that her young son had wet the bed, so she threw his sheets into the washer with other clothes. As she prepared breakfast for her family, she realized there was no dessert for lunch, so she quickly baked some banana bread. She saw that her husband needed a shirt ironed for church, so she did that, too, then folded some clothes and took out the trash.
And then it hit her. It’s Sabbath—a day I love more than any other! Yet here I am, doing all these chores and allowing these things to distract me from what Sabbath is really about—drawing near to God.
Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com
For just a moment, her mind started justifying her actions—these were all things that needed doing. Were they really? She realized that she was acting like Martha, “distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40, NKJV), but the words of Jesus echoed in her mind: “ ‘You are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her’ ” (Luke 10:41-42, NKJV). That good part. Sitting at Jesus’ feet out of a deep love for Him—not just on Sabbath, but every day. She hadn’t chosen that this morning.
She loved God, yet it was easy to forget that He had given her the Sabbath as a gift in time to make their relationship stronger. Silent tears fell from her eyes as she stood there in the kitchen.
The purpose of this example is not to focus on what we should or shouldn’t do on Sabbath; rather it is a reminder of why it’s important for us to notice the things that weaken or break down our relationship with God. When our hearts feel the pain of sin and separation and we call out to Him, Jesus is very close (Psalms 53:2). In His bloodstained hands, He holds a white robe. He sees our tears of repentance and takes away our dirty clothes. He then wraps His pure robe of righteousness all the way around us. His purity covers our confessed sin—completely and perfectly. We can wash our robe in His blood (Revelation 7:14).
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How do Isaiah 64:6, Zechariah 3:4, and Isaiah 61:10 reveal the important truth of Christ’s righteousness to us? Why must we always cling fervently to what God promises us in these verses? |
Today’s study touched me in a personal way. There are some sins that are easy to recognize—we confess them, repent, and ask God for forgiveness. Like this example above, – on Sabbath- I became so busy with various activities that afterward I felt convicted and went to God with a repentant heart, seeking His forgiveness.
But there is another struggle that is often harder to see in ourselves. How often do we engage in gossip, back-talk, prejudge others, or make careless comments about people we consider “sinners”? These conversations can happen in the parking lot, under the trees, or even just before Sabbath School begins. The danger is that we may not recognize these attitudes as sin. Blinded by self-justification, we fail to confess them or seek forgiveness. It is worth asking ourselves: are there sins in our lives that we have stopped noticing?
– Luke 15:17
Look again at the words, “came to himself.” They are powerful words of life. The son begins to speak honestly with himself, and this is where two important things happen—he confesses and he repents. These actions often happen together, but they are not exactly the same. Confession is admitting that we have done wrong. The son does this as he prepares what he will say to his father. Repentance goes further; it involves a change of heart and a decision to turn away from the wrong path. The son does this as well.
Repentance begins when we tell ourselves the truth. Real change starts when we:(1) recognize the lie we have been living, (2) honestly accept reality, and (3) choose a new way of thinking that leads to a changed heart and a different walk. The story in Luke 15 clearly shows this process. One lesson I want to keep is asking God to help me be honest with myself. That honesty can lead me to true repentance, so that I may seek His forgiveness. Along the way, I may also need to extend forgiveness to myself.
“But when he came to himself…” Could it be, Stanley, the Holy Spirit was wooing and convicting the younger son? After all, his father had to have been praying for him! The parable begins: “And Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons.” Surely the father prayed for both sons! Imo,The Holy Spirit was wooing and convicting the older son as well! Our lesson was not on this topic, but,oh, how I pray, I respond to my Holy Spirit’s counseling and convicting!!
Lorayne, you have a point, it could be. I was looking at this from the point of return,the younger son makes a decision to return and even prepares for his return
Amen Stanley
Stanley, you make some points that should make all of us stop and think and realize that we need to repent. It is the Holy Spirit that brings such conviction, and I am praying that the Holy Spirit will be with us all and convict us every time we are tempted to think ill of another.
“ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42, NLT).
Naturally, it seems that human physical needs are more compelling than spiritual! Why is this case even to believers? The physical seems to be winning over the spirit. Why?
1) The physical needs are immediate and visible – We need food now, and the stomach will remind us as soon as possible. Bills must be paid now. Illness demands attention now. However, prayer, worship, and Bible study are less visible and less demanding. They can wait!
2) Sin caused a misbalance between the physical and spiritual needs – Sin caused total disarray of God’s creation. Now, appetite and physical concerns rule over mortal beings. The body dominates the spirit.
3) What is visible is more real than the unseen – Naturally, human beings respond more readily to physical realities than unseen realities. The flesh speaks loudly; the spirit often speaks quietly and less forcefully.
How can we reverse this sad reality?
a) It is high time we recognised spiritual needs as necessities – Unfortunately, even believers treat prayer and Scripture as optional extras. Just as physical starvation weakens the body, spiritual starvation weakens the soul and leads to eventual spiritual death.
b) We need to establish health spiritual habits – Spiritual strength is built over time. Jesus communicated with His Father regularly, just as Daniel had a habitual prayer life. Before a crisis strikes, we need to develop spiritual physiques now.
c) Feed the spirit with spiritual food – As the physical body needs nourishment, our spirit needs to be taken care of as well. To be healthy spiritually, we need a good measure of prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship, and service. Spiritual negligence leads to spiritual death.
d) Dependence on the Holy Spirit – What is needed more critically is not physical discipline but surrendering to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We need to walk in faith and not by sight (Galatians 5:16).
“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16, NLT).
Very thoughtful points Omwenga, thankyou.
Thank you B/Sr. Omwenga.
Feed the spirit with spiritual food – As the physical body needs nourishment, our spirit needs to be taken care of as well.
Spiritual malnutrition is death. Most we have neglected to nourish our spiritual being to develop a solid Christlike lifestlye hence we easily fall to temptation and sin.
Lord, i need a revival!
In a world driven by deadlines, targets, and endless demands, many people long for the blessings of God’s Kingdom—peace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, justice, and kindness—without seeking the King Himself. Yet these treasures can only be fully experienced through a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Kingdom. Amid the pressures of our fast-paced society, we must intentionally make space to know Him, worship Him, and experience His presence. As Jesus reminds us, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
In a doctor’s waiting room we learn an important lesson. Patients do not diagnose themselves, prescribe treatments for others, or rush the process; they simply wait for the doctor. Likewise, God often calls us to wait upon Him rather than rush ahead with our own plans. Waiting on the Lord is not inactivity but trust-filled dependence on His wisdom and timing. Even when we cannot see it, God is at work behind the scenes. As Scripture says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
There are seasons when God desires to accomplish something great in and through us, but only if we are willing to wait for His timing. David’s journey to the throne illustrates this truth. Before becoming king, he had to learn how to handle both success and disappointment, victory and adversity. In the same way, God uses every season of our lives to shape our character and prepare us for His purposes. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).
Rather than merely telling others to slow down or spend more time with God, we are called to model a different way of living ourselves. Though we live in a rush-hour culture, we do not have to be controlled by it. By creating regular moments of prayer, worship, and waiting on the Lord, we become living testimonies of God’s peace. A world exhausted by hurry and distraction will be drawn to the quiet strength and hope they see in those who walk closely with Him. “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31, NKJV).
“Waiting on the Lord is not inactivity but trust-filled dependence on His wisdom and timing. Even when we cannot see it, God is at work behind the scenes.“
Amen!
A lesson that we might need to be reminded of now and then.
God’s in charge
Thank you so much for your response. It is exactly what I needed to hear and will be great for my daughter, granddaughter and nieces will do well to hear. Thank you and thank you again. Bless the Lord!
As a matter of fact, I would like to copy and paste your comment it a devotional that I send most every day to family and friend. It is an excellent, heartfelt, Holy Spirit blessing—that si many others will benefit from. I’m asking for your permission to use your response.
Thank you for considering my request.
Have been reading through the comments continue doing the good for God being used by him I have learnt a lot from the comments don’t take them lightly they will save someone from sinking
I too have been blessed by the comments! Let us pledge to hold on to God, come what may, because He is able to save to the uttermost those who sincerely seek Him!!!
God is not a tyrant force. God is love. He offers His righteousness every second. Cling to this thought!
God needs us to spend time with Him so we can understand and appreciate His love,mercy and grace for us. Sometimes, we get distracted by so many worries and concerns that we forget God is near us and is preparing something great for us.
What does a life motivated by love for the Father and Jesus Christ look like? Would it judge the choices of others how to engage in their by the Holy Spirit inspired relationship with God? How would we know what is in the heart of the individual we judge harshly because of perceived ‘short fallings’? Rom.8:1-11.
Our heavenly Father tells us to judge no one – Matt.7:3-5; Matt.7:1. Instead, He admonishes us to love and care for each other, not to tear each other down. ‘Martha’, by the Grace of God, has learned This Truth and applies it to her life. Instead of being judgmental, we can humble ourselves and pray like David – ”Search me, God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24.
For those of us who want to love God with all their heart, I consider the most important prayer would be to ask Him to reveal to us our own shortcomings and help us deal with them effectively. Our spiritual aim is to grow in our walk of faith and humbly apply our Savior’s righteousness to our new life lived by faith.
There is already a great lack of love in this world and it will get worse – Matt.24:12; 2 Tim.3:1-3. Facing these circumstances, what are Christians called to do? Are we not called to steadfastly love each other and to love our enemies by praying for them? John 13:34-35; 1 Cor.16:14. In the rush of life, there is always time to express love for each other.