Just a Little Talk Makes it Right
I am not like Martha in the Bible. She was the sister who was all about hospitality, serving up the best meal for her guests and ensuring they were comfortable.
And, I can’t say that I am like her sister, Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus and relished in His presence all day either. Oh, I have my sweet alone time with Jesus every morning, but inside me is the gal that has much to do and places to go.
Luke 10:40 says: “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!’”
If asked which of those gals I admire most, I secretly want to stick up for Martha. She had a house full of people. She wanted to serve them and Jesus. If taking a personality test, it would certainly reveal she had the hospitality “chip” in her!
Here is why I admire Martha. Even in her frustration, she got it right. She could have pouted (and probably did), but scripture doesn’t say she complained to her guests or to Mary.
She didn’t complain to a friend about how “no one ever appreciates her.” And she didn’t pull Mary aside and throw a temper tantrum about her not helping with the to-do list!
Instead, Martha took her frustration directly to Jesus. She had enough confidence and faith in her Lord to interrupt His Bible study. She trusted Jesus. She knew He wouldn’t embarrass her. She knew He had all the answers.
“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!’” (Luke 10:40)
Jesus didn’t disappoint her. He stopped the entire meeting to say the very words that healed Martha’s heart. He didn’t shame her for interrupting or making her feel small. Instead, He agreed with her.
Yes, she was worried and distracted about many things. But He reminded her only one thing was needed. Focusing on what was most important, and her other worries would fall into perspective. Jesus cared enough to gently encourage her.
I do want to be more like Mary in hanging out with Jesus, but Martha is still my hero. I don’t think I’ll ever be as naturally in the moment and easy-going as Mary. I don’t think I was created to be. My temperament is too focused, too driven. But … I can be a Martha who knows when to put down the schedule and the to-do list and simply ask Jesus for help.
I am so very thankful that I can run to my Lord whenever I am frustrated, weak, feeling that I’m carrying the load by myself and wishing someone was there to help me. I am determined to trust that He loves me enough to take all my worries seriously and heal my heart.
Will you join me in the “Go-to-Jesus” club for whatever annoys, disturbs, and hurts your heart today? From firsthand experience, I know He never turns us away and gives us the answers to what we need!
Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”