Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Worry”
Our Bible verse for today: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Mary got it right.”
Jesus said that Mary got it right, but what was it that she got right? If you’re familiar with the passage then you know that Jesus paid a visit to the home of Mary and Martha. Mary, the tranquil and contemplative sister, simply sat down at the feet of Jesus and spent time with Him. Martha, the strong “type A” over-achiever, immediately began scurrying around doing stuff. She started out fixing tea and cookies. Pretty soon she was banging pots and pans.
When Martha complained to Jesus that Mary wasn’t helping, Jesus told her to chill out and have a seat. Jesus wanted Martha’s company more than he wanted her cooking.
The Mary/Martha dilemma has always been an issue for Christians. That’s especially true in our highly caffeinated, hustle and bustle world today. There are many more Martha’s than there are Mary’s.
I once read a book on this subject with the great title of, “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.” That describes me! I have the heart of Mary, I really do. I want to just be still and sit at the feet of Jesus. But I have a Martha personality. I need to do stuff. I’m OCD and so I’m always inspecting the foyer for dust bunnies, or checking the pencils in the pews, or reviewing my sermon notes one last time. All the while, in my heart, I really do want to be still and be with Jesus – but I can’t resist the temptation to check just one more detail.
It’s probably true of you too – at least to some extent. Life in our world is busy and demanding, we all have long lists of things to do. But the words of Jesus ring just as true for us today as they did for Martha 2000 years ago. “Just chill out and have a seat.” (Ok, that’s not exactly how He said it but it is what He meant.)
Doing things for Jesus is important, so let’s give Martha credit for good intentions. But being with Jesus matters more. It has often been said, and it is very true, that God designed us as human beings, not human doings. Many of us need to spend more time being than doing. I encourage you to make it a point to do that today.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 