My heart was instantly drawn to the story of Mary and Martha when my assignment came to me. I actually laughed out loud at being assigned to the blog: “Busyness of Life”. Ironic, no, I don’t think so. Our pastor and elders have great senses of humor, but also insight. This was appropriately assigned and a good way for self-reflection and a lot of prayer.
If you’re like me, it’s very easy to say yes and then find we are scrambling to fulfill the over-commitments. Amid the over-commitments, the complaining and grumbling begins and just like that - the grace is out the window.
In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus arrives at the house of Mary and Martha, sisters to Lazarus, with 12 house guests. Just reading these verses made me sweat. For us doers, like Martha, we too would have been very irritated with our sister had she left the kitchen to go sit down with our guests because she had to prepare a feast alone! And, I am sure Martha felt ashamed when Jesus corrected her, and his correction wasn’t meant to shame; it was meant to love.
Over the past few years this very thing has been a work in progress in my life to come to the realizations Martha did with some convictions. She was preparing a big feast, when a simple meal would have sufficed. It was out of pride, obligation and worldly thinking that even in my own life, being the best and doing more, was the driver veiled behind “serving” which contributed to chaos in my busy life. It wasn’t for Him; it was for me. Conviction by the Holy Spirit sometimes can bring us to shame. But we know at the feet of our Lord we are forgiven and out of love we learn.
We’ve all heard sermons on “be the Mary”. You know, the one who left her dutiful sister in the kitchen to sit at the feet of our Lord. Perhaps there was envy in Martha’s complaining too? Our human hearts can sympathize with her. Here’s the Lord, the Savior of the world in your house, and she should be at his feet, yet she was busy. But perhaps the lesson taught by Jesus is focusing on the balance between worshiping and serving (Wiersbe, 2007). For He is our bread of life and He alone is our strength, even in serving.
Let’s consider the proposition of Mary and Martha; Mary being dutifully at the feet of our Lord and Martha, who dutifully serves. I often categorize my life into buckets just like the balance we should have between “worshiping” Mary and “serving” Martha (Wiersbe, 2007).
I make lists, write up timelines on my calendar, and put things in order; each task has a compartment. This even means prayer time and reflection is scheduled. But, even by doing these things to organize my life, it doesn’t always work. I say yes, when I’ve been learning more and more to say, “What you’re doing sounds really great, but let me make sure I can give you the time you need. Let me get back to you by X day,” AND then pray over it to hear His will. And, sometimes the answer has to be a gentle no. If I’m “too busy” then I don’t allow for time at the feet of my Lord and then serve with the gifts given.
Our Lord doesn’t want our gifts to serve and serving so much to distract us to the point of keeping us from Him. As believers in Christ we are here for the very purposes to serve to glorify Him. However, serving must come from a heart of love, listening to His will and to faithfully serve our Lord for his kingdom.
I have been working diligently to keep the responses when asked how we are doing to keep busy out of the answer and keep pride at bay. I have changed my work, prayed to hear exactly what His will is for my life; to focus on Him and to better serve to save. In truth He wants us to help heal those in the world and let them come to know the peace only through Him. But still, days are full, and time is at a premium. This will be a work in progress for some time to come, it will not be perfect, but we serve a perfect God - but for now my life is balanced better. I pray you may you find balance too and it starts at His feet. Praise be to our God, our Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit.
