I am sure
this is a busy time of year for most of you.
I have missed blogging lately, and keep
telling myself that I need to do better. The truth is my blog is my greatest platform
at this point. Sometimes it seems to me,
that God is teaching me so many lessons about life that I can't seem to put it
into words. Plus, it seems there is a time and a place for something to be
shared, and I don't want to do so too prematurely.
Do you by
chance, know the story of Mary and Martha? If not, you can find it in Luke 10:38
– 42. Can't you just see it in your mind? There are two sisters, one's name is Mary and
the other is named Martha. Martha welcomes Jesus into her home, while her
sister Mary was there also. It wasn't as if Martha completely ignored Jesus she
welcomed him. Scripture says that Martha was busy and distracted trying to
serve her honored guest. It doesn't say that she was rude or that her
intentions were not good. It is my
perception, that where Martha's troubles, come in is when she begins to become
frustrated with her own role, and expects her sister Mary to follow her lead.
Instead Mary remained listening to Jesus. Sometimes I'm willing to bet in moments
of pride we tend to think that this somehow makes Mary
the more spiritual of the two. As I
thought about the story, I am more convinced than ever, that if we approach the
story this way, we are not only wrong, but have missed what Jesus was telling
us entirely. I've heard this story told many different ways. I even know that
there is a book, which I haven't read about how to have a Mary heart in a
Martha world. I'm sure it's a great book, but recently I wonder if I and others have not missed the central point Jesus was making. Here's what I mean,
the situation could have easily been reversed. What if Mary had asked Jesus to
scold Martha to stop serving and command her to listen like she was? I think
Jesus would have lovingly chosen to correct Mary the same way he did Martha. Here's a prime example: my mom is gifted with
the personality of Martha. She is the Queen
of Multitasking. The faster she moves, and the more she accomplishes the more
fulfilled she seems. This is understandable given her life experiences, and how
God has created her. She gets things
done, and she makes things beautiful. Sometimes it's like we are going in
opposite directions, because I have never moved at a pace. I have a one track
mind, and fully focus on one thing at a time.
Sometimes I get frustrated with myself for not being more like her, and
then other times I am guilty of not appreciating the special and unique gifts
that God has given to her, and trying to get her to slow down, because that
makes Me feel at ease. When I was in college, I tried very hard to be a Martha
but in my heart I've always been more relational than task driven. The lesson
the Lord brought to my mind recently was is when we try to be something that
we are not, or expect others to be something different than what God has
created them to be, this is when people hurt each other. Most importantly we
miss fulfilling God's individual purpose for our lives. Most of us probably fall in-between Martha
and Mary, but we must be careful that we do not try to conform those around us into
something that God never intended. There is enough room in God's kingdom for
all types of personalities. It is not my
job, or the job of God's children to impose balance or conviction on fellow Christians. It is hard enough, to find balance in the
Christian life, for ourselves much less someone else. I don't believe that
Jesus was telling Martha she was wrong to want to serve him or that Mary was
wrong to continue clinging to his every word. Both of these roles are needed
equally. In other words, what you choose
to do to honor me is between you and me, but you are not to concern yourself or
cast judgment on another one of my children, for the way in which they choose
to serve me or relate to me!
I
will invite you on this journey with me.…
If you are Martha trying to relate to Mary, let's look for ways to see
Jesus in each other. Surrender the expectation to conform each others roles. If you
are Mary trying to relate to Martha, extend your hand, and stay humble!
