You know those times that you sit at church listening to the preacher and you know (I mean you really know) that what he is saying is directed straight to you? It’s only by divine intervention that the preacher would speak on that topic exactly when the Lord intends for you to hear it. I am sure there were other people there that needed to hear what he said but I am 1000% sure it was mostly for me 🙂 (Yes, this is selfish but God was saying big things to me!)
Luke 10:38-42
“38 While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”
41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”
So I have heard this story since I was a child. I am talking at least 50 times. Why did it strike me so hard last night? The Lord was having a serious conversation with me and it went something like this…
Let me pause for a second and let you know a few things about my personality so the rest will make sense. I tend to be very worry-proned and also have an extra heaping tablespoon of people pleasing to add to the mix. This can be a dangerous combination.
The Lord definitely made me in His image but parts of my personality that were intended for His good have been distorted by my sin nature. That’s where things get wiry. My personality often emulates that of Martha’s. I love to welcome people into my home and play hostess– just like Martha was doing for Jesus. But like her I get distracted by my “many task” (v.40). Task have to get done but not at the expense of moments with my Lord. Why do I get so caught up in what I am doing for Jesus that I miss those intimate times of listening to Him?
The next part of verse 40 I find humorous and gut wrenching all at the same time. Martha ask Jesus, “Lord, Don’t You care that my sister has left me alone?” I laugh because I see myself in this position all the time– playing the woe is me card. (So not a personality trait I am proud of). She had the audacity to ask Jesus if he cared! But you know, I do this all the time. My prayers are often reflective of me questioning God and in a round-about way asking him does He care or see what is going on in my situation. Let’s go a step farther. Martha then says, “So tell her to give me a hand.” Did you catch that? She just told Jesus (mind you the King of Kings and Lord of Lords) what to do. I can sit back and criticize her for that but when I take a look at my own awry heart, it’s obvious that I do the same. How many times do my prayers command that the Lord do something for me or intervene on my behalf without His consent if it even falls within His perfect will?
Do you know how badly I would love to be a fly on the wall in the midst of this happening a few millennia ago? I wonder what sort of faces that Martha had been making, if she rolled her eyes watching Mary sit at Jesus’s feet, or if she huffed and puffed as she walked by. Even more, I wonder if Jesus looked at Martha with sad eyes or if he smiled a sweet smile at her when she questioned Him.
What is so cool is how Jesus responded to Martha. He could have really put her in her place and embarrassed her beyond all means. But His response is much different. He begins by calling her by name- not once but twice;Â then He proceeded to acknowledge the way she is feeling. “You are worried and upset about many things.” (v. 41) He took the time and patience to let her know that He knew she was struggling before He set the record straight that Mary had indeed made the right choice.
There are so many take aways from this passage of scripture. Today IÂ realize how distracted I have been and unfocused on the One that matters most. Today I sit in awe of my Creator basking in His desire to love me and spend time with me. Today I take time to position my heart to wait expectantly to hear from Him.
I pray that you too will make time and find it a priority to spend time with Jesus and sit awhile to hear from Him.
Be encouraged –Kinsey
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