"Finding Mary in a Martha World"

Luke 10:38-42

38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ ⁴¹But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; ⁴²there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

While at the PAUMCS Conference (Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries) in Arizona this past week, we had a wonderful speaker, Linda Gillis, who has been in secretarial work off and on for many years – mainly in church offices.  She has written a few books about her experiences as a church secretary and at this particular conference, gave three separate talks about “Finding Mary in a Martha World.”  She even has a short story in her latest book, “The Donut Theory – Meditations and Inspiration for the Church Office” about trying to be and “M&M.”

In the first session, Linda spoke about the story of Jesus arriving at the home of Martha and Mary and Martha wanting Jesus to intervene and send Mary to help her do the work of being a hostess to Jesus.  Jesus reprimanded Martha in a gentle way, saying that Mary had chosen the correct decision of stopping and listening to Him. Sometimes, we feel that jobs will only be done correctly if we do them ourselves and then expect everyone else to be just as busy as we are, being jealous of the relaxed attitudes of others while we seem to do all of the work.  Sometimes we over-tax ourselves when it really isn’t necessary.  Jesus didn’t ask Martha to fix a meal or clean while He was there.  What was important was to be still and listen to what He had to say.

In the second session, Linda spoke of Mary – how stopping and listening is great!  We all need to take time out of our day to just sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to what He is telling us.  Spend time to study His Word and meditate on what He is telling you in the verses of the Bible.  How does He want you to apply what you have read in the Bible to your life today?  In the week ahead?

 In the third and final session, Linda said that we really need to be a blend of Martha and Mary – be and “M&M” is her term for the combination.  Yes, we need to be a “Martha” – in service – doing whatever it is that needs to be done to further God’s kingdom.  We also need to be a “Mary” – sitting still and listening to Jesus and His word to refresh us and lead us where He wants us to go.  When we get too busy, like Martha, we tend to not stop and listen.  When we sit too long listening, we don’t get out and serve. 

Let us all strive to be a mix of “Martha” and “Mary” to be well-balanced Christians – listening and serving in this world to bring His light to those in darkness.

Prayer 

Dearest Lord Jesus, we thank you for times of silent meditation at Your feet – listening to Your Word and for Your leading.  We also thank you for the opportunities to share Your love to others in this world – bringing Your message of light and love to their darkened world to bring them hope and lead them to You.  Continue to lead us and use us.  Amen.

                                                                                               ~ Wendy Miller