Making Everything about God

Every now and then I’m asked how I can make everything about God. Is it required that Christians think of God every second of the day, even when we’re enjoying that morning cup of coffee? Today I have some practical advice on how to ‘practice’ making everything about God.

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple. According to Holy Tradition, she was brought by her elderly parents Joachim and Anna to live at the Temple of God when she was three years of age, where she remained until her betrothal to Joseph.

The Church celebrates this day, and every Feast of the Theotokos reminding us of the visit of Jesus to the house of Martha and Mary. Mary was sitting listening to Jesus while her sister Martha was busy working all day preparing for Him. We’re supposed to be like Mary.

At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman called Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve you alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28

Martha lost sight of the fact that Jesus was already there and wanted her attention. It wasn’t that serving Him and hosting Him was wrong. Someone had to do it, but once He arrived it should be about Him. It should always be about Him.

So, how can we make everything about God? It begins with finding the ‘divine purpose’ in everything. Today’s Feast is about the Virgin Mary but the Church sings hymns for Christmas, “Christ is born. Glorify Him”, but Christmas is still thirty-five days away.

The Church reminds us today that the Theotokos was presented in the Temple of God to prepare her to become His mother. He ‘cannot’ be born without her. In fact, all Saints are celebrated because of their connection to Christ. It is always about God.

For us today the focus on God can be less visible, but it begins with our purpose. What is our purpose? Our ONLY purpose in life is to be in communion with God. If we can remember our purpose, then it becomes easier to find God in everything. Mary found Him. Martha did not.

I read a book once about understanding our calling. In this book a young man was speaking with a holy elder. “What does God want me to do in life?” The elder answered, “God doesn’t care WHAT you do, as long as you honor Him doing it.” The elder made it about God.

This is one spiritual benefit of the Nativity Fast. The Fast helps us to make the weeks leading up to Christmas about God rather than decorations and holiday parties. It isn’t that these are bad, but they are not the focus. Fasting makes it a ‘bit’ easier to focus on God. It’s always about God.

Go ahead and decorate your home but remember the lesson about Martha. She was too busy worrying about getting the house ready that she forgot it was about God. Have a blessed Fast and glorify God!