I am Martha.  Martha is a busy beaver.

But…when I sit at Jesus’s feet, I am Mary.  Mary listens intently to not only the words of Jesus but the heart in which the words come forth.   

I am goal oriented.  I have a great deal of ambition.  I like to stay very organized by making lists, I dislike wasting time and therefore do everything as efficiently as I know possible.  I feel impatient and irritated when things are delayed due to improper planning especially if I have lots of things that need to get done that day.  I tend to multitask because I can get more done that way (or so I think).  I am highly focused on my goals and checking things off my list.  I get easily annoyed with others when they aren’t mindful of my “to do” list.  I get anxious and begin feeling overwhelmed when my list, you know the one I created, gets too long.  Like I said, I am a busy beaver, like Martha.

A few years ago, I was in a minor car accident where my neck and back were injured.  I returned to work immediately after the accident because it was just a few bulging discs, right?  Well, upon coming home from work, my neck and back tightened so much that all I could do was grab the heating pad, lay down flat on the couch and rest.  I was frustrated as I knew a load of laundry needed to go into the washing machine, dinner preparations needed to start, and the house needed tidying up!  

I was in so much pain that I HAD to stop.  I had to just rest, lay down.  So, this is what happened…my daughter climbed on the couch with me for snuggle time as we watched our favorite movies, read a book and took silly selfies.  The selfie at the top of this blog post is from this time and it is one of my favorite pictures of us!  God not only slowed me down, but He stopped me in my tracks.  Apparently resting is hard for type A personalities.  It was hard for me to be grateful during this time but looking back now, I am very grateful.  Sometimes we just have to stop.  

This brings me to the story of Mary and Martha found in Luke chapter 10 verses 38-42.  Let’s read it.

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

We’ve all been there right?  Frustrated that we’re doing more work than another either at home, at work or in a friend or family relationship.  We have a problem or task that we are working day and night on and no one cares or sees all that you’re doing to accomplish the task all by yourself.  You’re determined and focused, slaving away for everyone else or someone else’s best interest and they don’t even care.  Until finally, you’ve had enough, and your thoughts become words that you spew out at someone, Please, would you just help me, this is so unfair that I have to do all the work.  (I can imagine the thoughts that were going through Martha’s head because I’ve been there.)

So now imagine Jesus coming to your home for dinner.  Actually, it was Jesus and the disciples so that’s like over 10 people.  Imagine the preparations and lists of things to do going through your brain right now.  Anyone who has hosted a dinner party knows that is a tremendous amount of preparation!  Martha was probably working very hard to ensure everything was just right.  I applaud her efforts!  And let’s be clear, it wasn’t wrong for Martha to be hospitable.  The Bible tells us to be hospitable.  Remember my blog post, Talking to God, https://www.melissajolonie.com/talking-to-god/, 1 Peter 4:9 reads “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”  Wait, oh no Martha, you forgot about the “without grumbling” part!  So, it was wrong that she allowed herself to be distracted, worried and upset (using Jesus’s words).

Let’s stop there for a moment.  She allowed herself to get upset.  She made room for this in her head, her emotions started to rise up in the form of worry and maybe even anger.  Then from the head to the lips, she spews out….Jesus, tell her to help me!  Unfortunately, there is no one to blame here but Martha. 

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.  We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”  So, we do have thoughts that are not godly, or even from God (aka correct in thinking) or wise.  The Bible tells us that we are supposed to recognize these thoughts so therefore, we can do this, correct them.  God wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.  So, first we are supposed to recognize our rebellious thoughts (we all have them) and second, get them back in line with truth or, teach them to obey Christ.  

Sometimes we allow our minds to wander down paths they shouldn’t go.  It happens.  God understands too and He knows this will happen.  That’s why He gives us the remedy “capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”  (Psst, He always has a remedy.)

And here’s a side note for parents, teach your children to navigate their thoughts in this manner as well. 

One technique that helps me “capture my thoughts” is asking myself, is that true?  If what I’m thinking is not true, then it’s time to readjust my thinking.  You might be asking yourself, what is truth?  And, you may have heard people say things like, I’m speaking my truth.  We all have our own perspectives and opinions however let’s not confuse that with truth.  We can’t dilute truth with our human perspective or opinion.  God teaches truth through His Son, Jesus, who is called Truth.  Truth is a person.  Did you know that?  Have you ever heard that before?  Truth is actually a person.  You want to know truth, get to know Jesus and line your life up with His.  Get so close to Him that you know His character and want to be more like Him.    

If we can’t agree to line our lives up with the Word of God, the ultimate truth and readjust our own thinking, where does that leave us as a society?  Each of us living our own created truth?  We aren’t creators.  Do you see how this could get messy really quickly?  

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Still unsure?  If you’re not sure what truth is and want more…just ask Him.

Psalm 25:5
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.  

Pray Psalm 25:5 until He speaks.  Don’t let go, He will speak to your heart.

Let’s get back to Mary and Martha.  Jesus said, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”  

Mary chose the better thing to do in that moment.  She was lingering at Jesus’s feet.  One could say, she was doing nothing!  But she wasn’t doin’ nothing.  She was sitting.  She was listening.  She was getting to know her Jesus.

Let’s imagine what Mary was experiencing in that moment for just a moment.  Jesus and his disciples had just arrived.  

They had been waiting all day, I mean, what took them so long to get there!    

Can you just imagine, Jesus at your house?  

Finally, he arrives.  

Does he welcome her with a hug or a kiss on the cheek? 

He sits down.  

Did she wonder to herself, how close can I actually get to him?  

Or, did he beckon her to come and come in close?  

Probably the latter since she was found at his feet. 

Did he begin speaking to her about all the questions she had (because he knew) or did she ask him a question?  

Was she studying his face, his mannerisms, his laugh, his hair, his hands, his eyes?  

Was she thinking, how can he really be God and man at the same time?  

What did they talk about?  

Was the conversation about their day, what was to come or about eternity?

So, when I sit and talk to God, when I think about Him, adore Him, love on Him, I am Mary.  When I wonder about his heart and what’s inside.  I am Mary.  And do you want to know what is so beautiful about this exchange?  God fills me with Himself and His character.  I find peace.  I find comfort.  I find joy and rest for my soul.  I feel refreshed, encouraged, happy.  

The Author, Dutch Sheets, recently spoke about being one who lingers.  Kind of like David, being one after God’s own heart.  Acts 13:22 tells us, “I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart…”  Dutch goes on to say the following: 

“There can be a huge difference between pursuing God’s heart and experiencing His presence.  It is possible to be in a person’s presence and never make it into their heart.  There are plenty of people I’m willing to hang out with but very few I will allow into my heart.  That part of me is reserved for the people I’ve spent enough time with to know I can trust their motives and intentions.  I need to be confident my heart has value to them.  It is breakable, I want it handled with care.  

God is no different, His heart can be broken.  His emotions can be wounded, and His hopes dashed.  He allows many into His presence but he’s much more selective with His heart.  It is important that we seek God’s heart.  When we find it, hidden inside we will discover our purpose destiny.  His presence is free, but His heart will cost you time and effort but oh how worth the effort His is.  Pay the price to find his heart no matter what it cost you.”

Excerpt taken from the book, The Pleasure of His Company written by Dutch Sheets.

Who will you choose to be today?  Mary or Martha?    

Let’s pray together!

Prayers You Can Pray:

• God, I believe you exist, I know you hear me and see me.  
• Forgive me if sometimes I am found busy.  I want to sit at your feet like Mary did.  I want to be one who lingers and meditates on your Word.  I want to get to know you in a deeper way.  
• As I pray and read your Word, please reveal yourself to me so I may experience your presence and know your heart.  
• Thank you for desiring my company, may I desire yours too.