415 N. Augusta Street, Staunton VA

Today, God showed me once again that even when our bodies are weary and wounded, our spirits can soar.

I couldn’t physically visit a new sanctuary, but what a blessing it was to join Ebenezer Baptist Church, America’s Freedom Church, for their Spirit-filled online worship. Right there in my living room, my heart found a home.

From the very first moments of worship, Ebenezer Baptist Church radiated with an infectious energy that reached through the screen, pulling me in, making me feel part of something much larger.

The power of the Holy Spirit filled each note as their magnificent choir raised heavenward one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard, “Only One Way Home.”

As they sang, my worries dissolved, replaced by a renewed conviction that no matter where we wander, no matter how many detours life throws at us, there truly is only one way home, and that way is through Jesus Christ.

As the announcements concluded, the Senior Pastor reminded us, “We enter to worship and depart to serve.” Those words spoke deeply to me, echoing the purpose of my journey to every church in my city.

Our worship is not simply an inward moment; it calls us to action, to go beyond ourselves, to serve and love as Christ did.

The Scripture today came from Luke 10:38, bringing us to the familiar yet powerful story of two sisters, Mary and Martha. In this passage, we find Jesus welcomed into their home, where Martha, busy and burdened, scurries about preparing for her honored guest, while Mary quietly sits at the feet of Jesus, absorbing every word from the Master’s lips.

As Rev. Dr. Guidry began her sermon, I could feel a gentle conviction rising within my soul.

She illuminated the tension many of us face between serving diligently like Martha and quietly resting at the feet of Jesus like Mary.

In a world that glorifies constant busyness and unchecked productivity, how often do we find ourselves rushing from one thing to another, our hearts burdened by duties and distractions, our minds spinning with what still needs to be done?

Yet Mary chose differently.

Mary chose to stop.

She chose to break the expectations of her culture, to step away from what others believed was her role, and instead she humbly sat at the feet of Christ.

Rev. Dr. Guidry spoke tenderly yet powerfully about how Mary recognized something Martha missed: the true nourishment, the real necessity of her soul, wasn’t found in tasks or traditions… it was found solely at the feet of Jesus.

I thought of how often I, like Martha, have rushed around anxiously, trying desperately to make everything perfect. I considered how easily we become trapped by expectations, distracted by comparison, worried by all we haven’t accomplished. Yet today, Jesus gently whispered through this sermon: “Come, sit at my feet. Choose the better portion.”

The reality is, sometimes what we need most isn’t more help with our tasks, but more time in Christ’s presence.

Maybe, just maybe, our burdens wouldn’t feel so heavy if we took the time to pause, to sit, and to soak in His life-giving Word. Perhaps we, like Mary, need to push through the noise of societal norms and embrace a posture of humility and openness at the feet of the Savior.

Today, Ebenezer Baptist Church and Rev. Dr. Guidry showed me a new depth to a story I’ve heard countless times.

The church reminded me that faith is not bound by zip codes or physical locations; it is bound by the love and presence of our Savior.

Even through a screen, they invited me into a deeper place of worship, a place of vulnerability, authenticity, and peace.

I am deeply grateful to Ebenezer Baptist Church for your warmth, your powerful worship, and your faithful proclamation of the Word.

Thank you for being a shining example of God’s love, reaching far beyond your walls to touch the hearts of those you may never see face-to-face. My spirit longs for the day when I can join you in person, when we can worship together, when we can embrace as brothers and sisters in Christ.

As I continue on this humbling journey, I reflect on today’s sermon with a heart full of gratitude. May we never become so distracted by our doing that we miss the beauty of simply being at Jesus’ feet.

I can’t wait to see where God leads me next. Until then, may we all seek that precious seat at the feet of our Savior.