Martha and Mary

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 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 all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but few thigs are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her."

Martha knew Jesus just as well as her sister Mary did. She wasn't trying to earn her way to his favour by working hard to make the meal, she was honouring him in the way she thought was required. Her desire to make everything perfect for him can't be faulted but that impossible desire overwhelmed her. Instead of recognising she was attempting too much that wasn't necessary and then adjusting her behaviour, she looked for someone to complain about. Who better than her sister, shirking her responsibility to help in household tasks, taking the selfish option of sitting and listening to Jesus?

Mary knew Jesus loved her without conditions. She valued his company, his presence, and knew he valued her for herself, not her ability to provide a tidy house or well presented meal.

How often do we think that it's more important to serve than just to be with Jesus?

This isn't the same as trying to earn our way to heaven (an impossibility) but is there sometimes a touch of justifying Jesus' care for us when our time is consumed by doing things, good things, which keep us away from actually spending time with Christ? Are we trying to say to God, "See how useful I am. You'll be glad you've taken an interest in me." Are we trying to pay back a gift that is far beyond our price range? Are we using busyness to distract ourselves and avoid what is really important?

Psalm 18:19 says, "He rescued me because he delights in me."

That is a wonderful thing to think about. He rescued me, he wants me to know him because he delights in me. Not because he wants to use me or because he wants to increase his number of followers, but because he knows that I am (you are) unique and of intrinsic value and my (your) company brings him joy.

Of course we are called to serve and act, that grows naturally out of our love for God and desire to please him, but God doesn't need our service to accomplish his purposes. He invites us to get involved and offers us the exhilarating experience of playing a part in his plans. Yet what is best is to walk with Jesus, sit with him, be with him, listen to him and enjoy his company as he delights in ours.

When that is in place, everything else falls right.