Hi Friends!
In church several weeks ago our pastor spoke about the story of Mary and Martha. I honestly can’t remember ever hearing the story before that time, or maybe I just had never paid attention to it. However, after hearing the sermon that Sunday, I came across a book based on the story at Barnes and Noble titled, “Have a heart like Mary in a Martha world” by Joanna Weaver. I honestly didn’t think much of it outside of “oh neat this must be on the story Brother Jason spoke about.”
In the beginning of August I began reading the New Testament from the beginning, and again I came to the same story of these two sisters.
In the airport yesterday I started my third book this month titled, “Weird: Because Normal Isn’t Working,” by Craig Groeschel and he talks about this exact same story so clearly God wants me to focus on the meaning of it.
The story goes something like this: Mary and Martha were sisters and Jesus came to visit them in their home. Martha was busy-as-a-bee running around cleaning and cooking and preparing so Jesus would feel welcome, but she was tending to all the chores alone. Mary was simply sitting with Jesus and soaking up the simple fact that JESUS was in her living room. At one point Martha gets a little snippy and says “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).
Now Martha wasn’t doing anything bad or sinful, she simply wanted everything to be perfect for Jesus, so much so she couldn’t see what was right in front of her, Jesus himself in the flesh in her home. She was missing the biggest thing to happen to her because she was so focused on all her tasks and making everything perfect.
Mary, however, stopped to appreciate the moment with Jesus. She stopped to worship and listen at His feet! She stopped to focus on what REALLY mattered and gave her full attention to Him.
You know what Jesus’s response to Martha was after she basically “tattled” on her sister?
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
Wow. Let me reiterate what Jesus said, Mary chose what was better! Why? Because she chose to live in the moment and focus on what mattered most.
The challenge I gave myself is to live in each moment. To live for each opportunity and to make memories that can stay in my heart forever. To slow down in this crazy thing called life so I can actually remember what happened yesterday.
Yes, I am praying that I can live more like Mary and less like Martha, and I challenge you to do same!
xoxo, Tamara