The Story of Mary & Martha

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I want to be a modern version of Mary from Luke chapter 10!

Do you know the story of Mary and Martha?

Luke 10:38-42  in my own words:

(Read the actual scripture here)

During His travels, Jesus would often stop at Mary and Martha’s house.  The two women were sisters, but I’m guessing it was really Martha’s house because she was the one who actually “welcomed Him into her home.”

[Sidenote:  Did you know that Mary and Martha also had a brother?  Lazarus!  How did I not know this!?  What a small world the Bible is!]

So during this particular visit, Martha was in the kitchen preparing the meal and I’m guessing it was a very pinterest-worthy spread too, because while she was caught up in the details of her preparation, Mary was literally at the feet of Jesus–washing them with her best perfumes and listening to him teach.

Umm…jealous!!!

When Martha realized that Mary was “just sitting there” she became annoyed (and maybe a little envious, too).  I imagine her saying something in the tone of a teenage girl, “Fatherrrrr…Mary isn’t helping meee!!  Make her get up and do some work!!”

And Jesus said in Luke 10:41-42–

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.  But one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Talk about a wake up call.  Stop fussing with the details, Martha, because Jesus–the actual Jesus–is right there in front of your face!  Reach out and choose that Good Portion like Mary did!

It’s like Jesus is giving me permission to just stop it–to stop seeking perfection and instead seek Him.  Ohh I have actual chills just thinking about it!  I’m pumped to dig deeper into what that means for me and my life–and every part of my life: spiritual, relationships, careers, household, and whatever else I can think of.

The saying, “the devil is in the details,” really describes my life right now and especially over the past few years.  The enemy uses elaborate projects and far-fetched plans and ideas to distract me from the True Plan.  I get so tangled up in making lists that I run out of gas for the follow through.  I know that planning is essential for life–duh!  But I can somehow manage to take it to the next level–we’re talkin’ lists about what lists need to be made.  It’s out of control.  And most times it doesn’t go anywhere.

I feel like Martha would have had more follow-through than me; so I can’t say I am 100% Martha, but I know that I have a tendency to lean more towards that side.  My goal is to be more like Mary.  It seems like she knew what time it was.  It wasn’t (isn’t) time to impress people with your mad-baking skills or party-throwing abilities, it’s time to be at the feet of Jesus…worshiping and listening.  I have a lot to learn from Mary.

 

So which are you?  A Mary or a Martha?