We have the privilege learning from so many examples in the Bible. Some narratives show us what to do, others teach us what actions do avoid. Today we will take a look at one of my favorites the:
Martha and Mary Story In the Bible
We find these women in Luke 10:38-42,
This is an amazing story of two sisters’ encounter with Jesus. While He was traveling. He was met by Martha, who invited Him to stay with her and her sister.
Martha was all about hospitality. She wasted no time working and caring for her Savior. She grew increasingly frustrated with her sister however, who proved to be absolutely no help.
Mary had a different goal in mind. This second sister abandoned all work in exchange for spending time at the feet of Jesus.
So, what does our problem-solving Martha do? Well, she, like a good disciple, takes her problems to Jesus. I would be willing to say she didn’t get the answer she was looking for.
Jesus responded by saying Mary is actually in the right—talk about an embarrassing moment.
Culture values productivity, but God values relationship.
As a pastor’s kid turned pastor’s wife, I love hospitality. The work of it, though, can be all-consuming. That is when I am reminded of two important lessons that this short and powerful story teaches.
1. Inviting Jesus into your life and actually living with Him are two very different things.
When we look at verse 38, we see that it was actually Martha who asked Jesus to come. She Found herself missing out on the goodness of His presence because she was consumed with being busy.
Wow, how often do we make that same flawed exchange?
We are not called to be busy. We are called to be fruitful. Busy is what you get when we strive to do things on our own. Fruitful comes from an overflow of what God is doing from within.
Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Take up my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burdens are light.” When we are feeling overwhelmed, it is more likely that we are carrying more burdens than God has given us. Where can you scale back to make more room for Jesus in your life?
Which brings me to:
2. We find peace at the feet of Jesus.
We don’t see anything Mary says here, but we know that she is equally as consumed. The difference between Mary and Martha? Unlike Martha, who is monopolized with busyness and frustration. Mary is adsorbed with her Savior. I can imagine her soaking in God’s presence. How peaceful it must have been.
Isaiah 26:3, tells us that God will keep those in perfect peace whose minds are set on him. We all could use more time at the feet of Jesus allowing his word to fill our hearts and minds. Simply loving him because of who he is.
The most important time that we will ever spend is the time that we spend at the feet of our Protector.
Way Anchor
Sometimes it’s easy to forget where our priorities lie, as children of God.
It feels good to check things off of the To-Do list. It can be fulfilling to accomplish things, but our true fulfillment comes from Christ.
Resting in Him is one of the core values of our faith. Although in this day and age it is easy to forget, let’s allow the story of Martha and Mary to be a reminder. Make time to choose the greater thing. I will leave you with the words of David, and may we never forget where our hearts belong.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
Psalms 23:1-3 CSB
Journaling Questions:
Where is your passion for God’s word? Does it need to be turned up?
What are you consumed by today?
Action Step:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalms 46:10 NKJV
Set a timer for a least 5 minutes. And practice cultivating silence. Simply sit in God’s presence, listening to what he has to say. When the time is done grab a journal and write it down.