Martha vs. Mary

A friend of mine introduced me to a book called Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.  The author Joanna Weaver shares with readers how to find intimacy with God in the busyness of life.

Here is the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42: As Jesus and his disciples were 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 few things are needed-indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

 I have always "prided" myself in being like Martha in the Bible. I love to be going, going, going and doing, doing, doing. I strongly have felt that I show my love for Jesus by doing not by sitting. Being a Mary has never excited me. But reading this book and seeing how Mary pleased Jesus by just sitting at His feet and soaking up His every word has been eye-opening for me. Catch this: " The only requirement for a deeper relationship with God is showing up with a heart open and ready to receive. Jesus said: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28; Weaver, 2012). This book is not saying that my on -the- go personality or my love language of the act of service is wrong. But I am learning that I do not have to always be doing something. So many times I have allowed my life's busyness to consume me; and my relationship with the Lord is a quick Bible read and prayer at the end of the day. This book has been encouraging and convicting to learn to just stop and take time to rest in the Lord.

I will continue to share what I am learning in the book. I encourage all you Martha's to buy it and read it!