I was made to plan and organize.
That’s what I do best. Give me a sticky problem and I’ll find a solution. I’ll set up a check list and organize the workers and get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Really. That’s how my brain works.
My reaction, when I’m faced with a predicament, is to analyze, determine the best course of action, and then implement it.
I don’t think things should just be left to themselves.
They need to be dealt with, planned for, and finalized.
How does that phrase go? Ah, yes! Divine interruption.
Or, “Divine, set me back on my heels and tell me to sit down and just listen”.
Martha is memorialized in the Bible because she approached Jesus and asked him to tell her sister Mary to get up and help her in the kitchen. She was, after all, doing what she did best – taking care of her guests by planning and executing.
Cooking, cleaning, serving. Much needed and necessary duties.
Mary, on the other hand, is memorialized in the same Bible, indeed in the same passage of scripture because she wasn’t doing anything at all – just sitting at Jesus’ feet and drinking in the life-altering words he was speaking.
I’m thinking that Martha, for all her hard work utilizing her greatest gift – that of organizing and serving – missed something that day, so Jesus reminded her of just what it was.
There comes a time when Jesus just wants us to sit down at his feet and listen. Absorb his love, his words, his heart.
I can guarantee you that if Martha would have asked if she could just sit there too instead of fixing the meal, Jesus would have fixed the meal for them all, just like he multiplied the loaves and fishes.
Because checklists and timeframes are no big deal to him. Changing lives is.
For me, just like Martha, it’s very hard to fold my hands, rest my mind, and let Jesus take care of the planning. The greatest breakthroughs are always at those times of quiet and submission at the feet of the One.
So, I’m sitting quietly and listening. Listening to that still, small voice.
I’ve dusted off my hands, and left the mess in the kitchen to be dealt with later. I’m resting my mind from its incessant checklists and timeframes, and I’m sitting comfortably at the feet of Jesus.
Tell me again just how much you love me. Tell me again just how much you love us all. Tell me one more time, please.
Expand my heart. Expand my reach. Expand my influence.
Until all the world knows
As Jesus and his disciples went 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 the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha”, the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
~ Luke 10:38-42
By Victoria Ostrosky, Create Beauty From Ashes
Leave a Comment
Margie says
LOVED THIS!!!!! I am totally Martha… but I am working to be more like Mary everyday. Tell me again, Lord, how much you love me!
Thank you!! for letting God speak through you!
Victoria says
Thank you for your kind words, Margie! It isn’t easy for us Martha’s but we can’t give up, can we?
I Live in an Antbed says
Yes, to sit at His feet is so necessary. And then, during times of serving keeping our eyes steadily on His face so that, in our work, we worship.
Victoria says
Excellent! Thank you!
deidra says
Loved this. Especially the part of Jesus cooking the meal for them. Wow. Great image there.
Victoria says
Thank you so much Deidra! Jesus desires our communion so much – and it’s for our own good too! I find that the more I listen, the more I want to learn.
Beth Williams says
Victoria,
Great post! I am totally Martha, can’t sit still for to long. Would be nice to just sit quietly at His feet and listen to him, but my mind keeps racing!!
Guess we’ll just keep trying to become Mary’s!
Victoria says
Hi Beth – trust me when I say this – it gets easier every time you do it!
Bethany Cahours says
I’m not sure that I’m a Martha, but I think sometimes I forget to be a Mary, too. It’s a good reminder that when I am sitting and contemplating, I need to also be listening. Great post! I hope you keep writing 🙂
Victoria says
Thank you, Bethany! I love it when Jesus talks to us so sweetly when we’re sitting and quietly listening, don’t you?
Rachael Acklin says
Now I’m all verklempt, Mom. Because I’m a Martha through and through, and it’s HARD to believe it will all be alright if I just sit and be quiet and listen.
P.S. My inner Martha would like you to know that the twitter link in your guest bio is wrong. <3
Victoria says
It was hard for me too, but it is getting easier and easier. When you know that someone else cares more for you and what’s going on around you than anyone else – even you – it makes the resting and listening much easier. The more I sit and listen, the calmer in spirit I become, and the more He takes care of the details for me.
And I’ll see what I can do to fix the twitter link
Thank you!
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April says
Thank you for this post…the part about how he isn’t interested in our timelines and deadlines…he is interested in changing lives. So good. He is so good. Thank you for these words and reminders today!
Victoria says
I’m so glad you were encouraged today, April! He is so very good.
Jennifer says
I can really relate to this. I am totally a Martha. It is very difficult for me to just sit at His feet. My mind is always racing, wanting to make sure I have everything under control. I am trying to submit to His control, but it’s hard.
Victoria says
Hi Jennifer – I am finding that it gets easier! And I am always amazed at how much more equipped I am to deal with whatever happens when I’ve stayed close to Him. Thank you for your comment.
Blessings!
Thomas Sabo Jewellery says
Good work,hope your blog be better!I just want to make a blog like this!
Melissa says
I definitely have more Martha tendencies. I am so thankful for God’s faithfulness and patience with me as I learn how to be still in His presence.
Thank you for sharing!