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Second Week of Lent
Scripture: Luke 10: 38-42
Poor Martha. I think she gets a bad rap. Yes, Martha was distracted, albeit for good reason. The preparations had to be made. Her error was not in the preparations themselves but allowing them to distract her from God’s presence. I can hear the whiny, exasperated tone in her voice, “Jesus, Mary isn’t helping me!” I love Jesus’ response. He doesn’t chastise or condemn her, but He calls her by name. “Martha, Martha, you are upset and worried over many things, but few things are needed- indeed only one.” I feel like He is saying to her, “I know what’s on your heart and mind. I’m right here, come find rest in my presence.”
In contrast to Martha, we see Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet – a posture of obedience and wholehearted devotion. But this scripture isn’t necessarily a contrast between service and devotion, rather I believe it reveals the two are divinely intertwined. We are designed to find rest and renewal in Christ, and we are called to serve one another in love. It’s a constant and never-ending balance of worship and ministry.
I find myself asking the question, where am I? If I’m honest, I’ve been distracted. But I find myself somewhere in between Mary and Martha. This lent, I’m making a conscious effort to be a little bit more like Mary. I’m setting aside my distractions and spending a little more time sitting at Jesus’ feet. Maybe you feel like me, or maybe you have been in a season of contemplative prayer and it’s time to pour out what’s been poured into you. Either way, God meets us where we are – it’s up to us to answer His call.
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