Lagom

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:13

Lagom is a Swedish word that means: The principle of living a balanced, moderately paced, low-fuss life.

We all need more “Lagom”. So many of us are stressed from a variety of causes, some of our own making. We complicate the simple things and invite stress into situations that we could otherwise simplify.

I love the following verses.

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:40-42

It was as if Jesus was telling Martha just to throw together some sandwiches and join Mary in listening to what really mattered. Yet we all can sympathize with Martha as we have been just like her at some point in our lives, missing out on the essential due to focusing intently on the non-essential.  We stress and worry over things that just don't matter much in the big picture.

Sitting down and getting quiet before the Lord would do us all a great deal of good as he has much to teach us. Too often in prayer we go to the Lord with a barrage of worries and a load of cares that leave us unbalanced and robbed of peace.

Slowing down, simplifying our lives, would not only put our lives back into balance, it would restore our peace of mind and restore our perspective. We need Lagom.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be more like Mary and less like Martha with the priorities in our life. Teach us and give us peace as we refocus upon You. Amen.

This Is My Story

Even though I walk

    through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

    for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me. Psalm 23

It was early in the year 2011 and I was dying. I weighed 143 pounds, was anemic, malnourished, and did not have long to live without a major operation. I had a very tiny seed of faith and only a little hope. I was too weak for the surgery but it was my only option. I hoped I would be there after the surgery, but committed my soul into God’s Hands in case I didn’t wake up this side of heaven.

God doesn’t need tons of faith or mountains of hope from us, just a willingness to trust our fate to Him.

My mom had three children under five years old. She told me that when we were little, once in utter frustration, she cried out to God: “Help me with these kids!” My mom was not religious. Indeed, I preached to her more about Jesus over the years with little to show for it than any other person in my life. Yet not only did God hear her plea of frustration and Save her three Children, my mom late in life was also Saved. God is good. Not because of us, but because it’s who He is.

You, or someone you care about, may be in a dire situation. It may not be health related, but a dangerous predicament, serious money issues, or other troubles. It is best to have a relationship with God before you find yourself in troubled waters, but if you are willing to reach out with just a bit of hope and a seed of faith to God no matter your relationship with Him, He can change your dire circumstances and bring blessings instead of tragedy.

Your circumstances in life may be more than you can handle. We have all been at that place, or are about to be there. God does not give us a problem free life, but He does give us Himself, and that’s enough.

Give your life to Jesus and He will give you back more in return than you could have ever imagined.

Prayer: Life often appears hopeless and we frequently feel helpless in the face of it. But help us Jesus not to become so focused upon our problems that we forget to call upon the Problem Solver. You are always there, and we know You always will be. Thank You Lord! Amen.