Mary and Martha

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, there is the story of Mary and Martha.  It says as follows:
"Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."   And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, an Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." 

I have been swamped and I have had low energy.  When I pray I think of Mary and Martha.  I'm a Martha.  I am working.  I'm busy.  Let me be honest.  Let me be authentic and vulnerable.  I question whether I alone am enough.  I'll tell you the answer.  I am not enough.  I will never be enough.  I need a Savior.  Thankfully, I have a Savior.  When I go to God complaining, I tell Him that I am busy.  I tabulate and list carefully all the things that I don't have time to do.  I tell Him that I am worried and I have fear.  Can't You send help?  I am upset and fearful that I will lose everything.  Will I lose everything?  If God is for me, who can be against me.  The question is not about me being enough.  The question is can I trust God to be enough for me.  Ouch. 

I had a lot on my plate.  I was at home.  Instead of being upset.  I did my Wednesday night Bible Study reading.  I did my Monday night Bible reading.  I wrote notes and prayed.  I spent time studying and hanging out with God.  I should have been sweeping.  I should have mopped the floors.  I had a load of laundry.  Instead I worshiped God with my limited time.  When I needed answers, I didn't lose my mind.  I went to God and I didn't worry or trouble myself about things like Martha.  Instead I chose the good part and I went to the feet of Jesus. 

God calls us to be a Mary when this world would have us be a Martha.  Don't get it twisted.  Chose the good part.




Georg Friedrich Stettner: Christ at the home of Martha and Mary