A Martha Walks in Mary’s Shoes
“’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).
Martha’s have gotten a bad rap over the years.
I know. I am one.
It has become a negative description of a busy person. Oh you know. She’s a Martha.
But today, I want to pronounce that Jesus loved Martha too. Yes, he loves those of us who have a hard time sitting still, who prefer being busy to sedentary. Who have a tough time just “being” like the Mary’s in the world.
In John 11, when Jesus received word about the death of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, Jesus proclaimed Lazarus’ sickness would not end in death but right after, that the Word says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5).
What? He loved Martha despite her busyness. Despite the fact that she didn’t blow off the household chores, and sit at his feet. He loved her even though she sounded like she was a worrier.
Jesus loves the Martha’s of the world.
But, here’s the disclaimer. It doesn’t mean he wants Martha’s to be too busy. We Martha’s have to discipline ourselves to spend time with him. It is still the “better” thing to walk in Mary’s shoes.
Periodically, circumstances will force a Martha-type to sit at Jesus’ feet so she can receive an infusion of teaching. It might be a sprained ankle or a back injury. It could be an illness.
I have been sick with some kind of respiratory virus/infection/allergies for one month now. The last time I was sick for a month was in the 80’s. Today I have a major speaking engagement, and feel well enough to do it. God knew the timing, but he forced me to sit at his feet for one month, because I did not feel like running around like I usually do. If you have ever been really sick, you know that you do a lot of reflecting. So here’s what Jesus taught this Martha in my time as a Mary:
- It’s important to have compassion for the chronically ill. I have been blessed with great health so God had to put me in a position of ill health (for longer than a week) to understand.
- Life is precious and can be gone in a flash. Healthy one day, sick the next. I know that we need to make each day count for the kingdom.
- I need to rely totally on God for my mental and physical strength. In my weakness he is strong. Good health is a gift.
- I know that God demands total obedience to all his ways, no slip ups! Sometimes our sicknesses can be a wake up call to some form of disobedience in our life. It may be the only way to get our attention, because in our sickness, we may ask God, “Are you mad at me?” or “Show me if there is any sinfulness in me, Oh LORD.”
I will admit, I am a restless Mary, but I always come out better when I sit at Jesus’ feet for a period of time. It doesn’t mean I am not comfortable in my Martha skin. The world needs Martha’s to get things accomplished, and I know God designed me with a heart to reach the masses for him.
So Martha’s, don’t fret. Today, know that you are loved by your maker, who wants you to choose to spend time at his feet. He has some important truths he wants you to learn. (LBW)