I am a Martha.
If you don’t know the story of Martha she definitely has a lot of my tendencies and I'm going to guess you might relate to her too!
Back when Jesus was walking the earth, Martha offered to have him and some of the disciples over to her house. I imagine that as soon as she made the invitation she wondered what the heck was I thinking.
I bet the mess in her kitchen came to mind, perhaps the lack of food, and the thought that she can’t possibly get enough things together to entertain these men on her own.
So she asks for help from her sister Mary.
Martha and Mary get home with the men. Martha gets SO busy cleaning the house and prepping the meals, and she realizes that Mary isn’t helping her but sitting with their guests instead. If I’m Martha I’m annoyed right now! I was desperate for help, I actually got the nerve to ask for help, and she’s just sitting and talking.
We know Martha is frustrated because she actually says to Jesus, “”Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”" -Luke 10:40.
And Jesus with so much love in his heart replies, ““Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”” -Luke 10:41-42.
Whoa. THIS IS it. The whole time I’m stressing about having the house cleaned, cooking an acceptable dinner, checking off my to-do list-the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE is sitting in my living room just waiting to chat with me!
Jesus also shows us the example of perfect love here. He is sitting in that room knowing that Martha is living for things outside of him, yet he doesn’t go and condemn her. Jesus simply waits until she is ready and with so much LOVE guides her back to the one thing that she needs-HIM.
“There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus”. -Romans 8:1. Jesus didn’t come to condemn us, he came to love us. He came to show us that the things of the flesh-like a clean house will not last. Those of you in the same phase of life as me know darn well that a clean house does not last more than 5 minutes. But it’s not just our house, it’s our careers, our finances, & social status. So many times we are so busy seeking these things that we forget they can be taken in a moment.
Today I’m challenging myself to look at all the things I’m living for outside of Jesus. Most of the time these are the things that bring me the most anxiety and make me feel on edge. I’m going to choose to see them and then make the conscious choice to turn back to Jesus. We ALWAYS have a choice. Even though Martha was frustrated she at least opened her heart to Jesus, this is the only way he can speak to us. So even if you are frustrated or anxious-open your heart and see where he guides you.
Jesus is right here with you at this moment. He is whispering to you right now-come and follow me, my plans are far greater than you could ever imagine. I know you want to live for these things on earth, but I promise you I’m creating a home for you that is more beautiful than anything you could ever imagine.
So what do you say??
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