Martha or Mary - Who are you more like?
Why is it so hard sometimes to see ourselves as we really are.
Example in tact. I have heard the biblical story many times of Martha and Mary. Every time I hear it, I ponder and wonder which one I would really be more like in that moment?
Honestly.... I would like to think I would be Mary, sitting at Jesus feet, soaking it all in without a care in the world, I mean come on - Jesus is speaking in person; however, after todays moment of vulnerability, I have to admit, while I want to be like Mary, I am not.
Isn't life funny sometimes how it reveals more about our true self and our need for a savior. Ill explain on the back side of the story my revelation that put me in my place this early morning.
Incase you need a memory jogger on the story - here's the quick recap: In the book of Luke, 10:38-42 it says "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary,who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Good story right. You gotta love it when a dose of reality slaps you in the face when you least expect it. Here's how it started. Each day, I have good, no great intentions to complete my daily devotional readings, along with prayer and reflecting time. Most days it happens, but some, not so.
On the days it does, I feel God work in those moments and speak to me, and while that time is precious and I understand the importance of it - even still, they don't always happen. Busyness can easily take over if we don't keep our boundaries firm.
Today it was happening - all the books were laid out and awaiting my presence. To prepare myself, I listened to worship music. As this lovely music was ringing in my ears - my mind dually went to an automatic "to do" list in my head. My goodness, the things that need to be done today! I was exhausted by the time I processed all that needed done in the next few hours and in my mind, I had almost already moved on to the "to do" list before I even consider my reading, devotion and prayer time. Yes, I almost talked my self OUT OF IT before worship song #2 was done playing.
My thoughts however, were interrupted, of all things, with a reminder of this story about Martha and Mary. What!?! It's as if almost to say in an audible voice - "Martha, Martha - how quickly you forget the important things. If you would read, do your devotion and spend time with me, you will find everything align perfectly for your day. If you choose to dive into the "to do" list without spending time with me - well - chance it if you may, but the most important thing would be neglected." OUCH and.....
OH MY GOODNESS.... I AM Martha. Hands down - no question. I want to be Mary, but like the real Martha in this story, she meant well, but instead got carried away by the "to do" list and because of it, missed the most important thing, spending time with Jesus.
So I share my moment with you in hopes that we both can take a moment to reflect on what is truly important in our day, because you likely can relate to having great intentions and also a full schedule.
Lets choose to become more like Mary and focus on what is truly important.
"Be still my child. Allow my presence to flow into your life so that you will have peace to conquer the things you need to conquer today. Time with me is always time well spent."
