by Darren Hewer
“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to [Jesus] and asked, ‘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)
Ever feel like a “Martha”? Someone who is focused, driven, hardworking … someone who wants to just get things done? Have you ever read Jesus’ interaction with Mary and her sister Martha, and felt sympathy for poor Martha, who is doing her best to be busy and work, only to be reproved by Jesus?
Does Jesus despise working hard? Surely not; Jesus commends hard work and perseverance (Revelation 2:2), and gives many parables to illustrate the value of hard work (such as the Two Sons, Matthew 21:32). What, then, does Jesus object to? Martha was not just working, but was “distracted,” “worried,” and “upset.” Just as “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17), the inverse is also true: Actions done with a gladful heart are what God desires.
What is the “better” thing that Mary has chosen? “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29). If Martha were doing her work with the proper focus (on God) and a loving attitude, she would not have complained that her sister was focusing on listening to Jesus, for Jesus told the crowds to “Listen and understand” (Matthew 15:10).
Even when we have a Martha attitude, we can take comfort in this: “Jesus loved Martha” (John 11:5) Even when we miss the mark, have a bad attitude, or lose patience, God still loves us. Take this opportunity today to examine your servant life, and see if your heart is “distracted,” “worried,” and “upset.” If so, it would be worthwhile to take time to spend some time in peace and quiet with God. Remember, “Jesus loved Martha.”
Read today’s Scripture passage, Luke 10:38-42: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010:38-42&version=31
Questions to Ponder: Do you feel more like Mary or Martha today, and why? How can we keep a proper focus and loving attitude while we work?
Today’s Chat: Join us for a 15-minute chat about this devotional at 10:30 am Eastern, 7:30 am Pacific: http://www.christianwomentoday.com/chat/
Quote of the Day: “Sometimes keeping busy helps us to avoid the still, quiet place where God can really speak to us. It is in solitude that we often become aware of the closed doors, the true motives behind our actions and the areas in our lives that aren’t surrendered “~ Jennifer MacPherson. Read the whole article: http://christianwomentoday.com/growth/surrender.html
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/authors/darren-hewer/
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February 9th, 2007 at 6:27 am
Thank you, Lord, for loving me in spite of my perfectionism,
tunnel vision, and selfishness. When I fall back into looking at busyness instead of You, give me a nudge back in the right direction. I love You, Lord and I want to do Your will. Annie
February 9th, 2007 at 6:48 am
Sometimes it’s hard for me to not feel like Martha while being “a wife” and cleaning up the house. My husband helps sometimes, but most of the time he leaves things laying around, doesn’t put stuff back in the fridge, etc. It gets hard for me to not clean up after him with a loving heart knowing I should be thankful I have a husband to clean up after. just a thought. :)
February 9th, 2007 at 7:31 am
What was said in the devotional about solitude being a time for us to examine closed doors and see what areas we have not surrendered, really struck home
with me. I have a writing ministry that has not brought the success that I would have enjoyed. It has not reached the success of a Grace Livingston Hill or a Francine Rivers the way that I wished. I do want to continue to try to tell a story in ways that will reach people who will not read the Bible. Please. Lord, show me the ways that I can surrender it all to you and not feel defeated in my service for you.
February 9th, 2007 at 7:44 am
Lord, so many times when I am being your servant at church, helping with the little ones, and ministering to the elderly I want to look around and criticize those that aren’t doing it, or are not doing it the way I think they should…like Martha… Help me Lord to not be distracted and to focus on you. Remind me to pray for others… forgiving them for their errors as you forgive me. I love you.
February 9th, 2007 at 8:19 am
I am a Martha at heart , but being that I have to stop and put things into perspective. I think Martha love Jesus also…but her personality was to get things done. This will make you resent others who are not geared the same. But they make us stop sometimes and see that life like Jesus said is more than work. Moderation in all things come to mind. It is good that he reminds us to sat at his feet and do the better.. learning of him. This is one reason I like cwt I can stop and learn.
February 9th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Very thought provoking devotiona. Please pray for my family and I. I have a heavy burden.
February 9th, 2007 at 8:59 am
just want say these devotionals are encouraging to me,,and i pray for all who reponds,,,a special prayer for Violet this morning,,that God will be with you in your burden and grant peace to your heart and soul.I know that if you surrender it to Him He will see you through it.Keep praising Him and keep trusting.Blessings to all,
dee
February 9th, 2007 at 9:18 am
I will pray for you Violet - let the Lord have your burden - he is waiting for you to hand it over to him! God bless you Violet. Linda
February 9th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Father, I thank-you for these ladies & that we have the freedom to meet togeather at this site. I`m also so thank-full for the people that contribute here….helping us to grow daily… to see that we`re not alone in our struggles, giving us insight on how to deal with life through sound biblical trueth.
I can have the Martha problem,like perfectionism, tunnel vision, etc….the way the world is now it`s very easy to get distracted but like Annie said He will nudge us back in the right direction. ..
Doris..please don`t give up on your dream …God says He has a plan for each one of us…trust that He will use your ministry, it might not even be in your life time, but He will & He will be glorified!
Mary your right ..moderation is key….each one of us has our own gifts…If our eyes are upon Jesus we can`t be distracted by the faults we think others might have.
Violet…I`m praying right know for your circumstances…..Trust & believe it`s already been taken care of…….Blessings to all of you!
February 9th, 2007 at 10:11 am
God I know that your will is for me to be happy at all times and to give thanks in all circumstances . Help me to remember this as I do the ordinary things and to be grateful that I can serve others for you name’s sake and powered by your love.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I find I am “a Martha” many days…ok most days. I love to have things perfect, and when they aren’t it puts me in a bad mood and makes me have negative feelings towards anyone in my way. I need to not worry so much about the way things look, and stop and enjoy the time I have with my husband and our baby. Life is short, and I want to have as much quality time as a family as I can. As long as we are all together, I guess it really doesn’t matter if our home is spotless or not.
February 9th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
I find that i am a Martha at times and wants to have everything perfectly done, at home and in the service of God. Maybe i do not spent enough time to listen to God and really let him works his way through me. Please pray for me regarding this.
I also find it hard sometime to participate in discussions when we are studying in a group.
I also need help in prayer to win my family back for Christ.
love you all.
Linda
February 10th, 2007 at 6:42 am
i just thank you jesus for openign my eyes to this. I am so like a martha. I am a mother of 4 little ones and going to school myself. with all that i don’t stop and think of what i am doing or who am i doing it for . jesus i just pray that you would help me remember you in all i do . that i would remember that things don’t have to be perfect all the time and in order. that it is alright to relax and enjoy time with you