I'll be away this Sunday at camp up at Silver Bap in NY, with husband and grandchildren in tow. So, I'm preparing for my sermon the Sunday of my return (21st); the story of Mary and Martha. I have to say, that I definately identify with Martha. I have often been distracted and stressed out by the need to "get everything done" or make everything just right. I can remember holiday meals, where I spent much of my time in the kitchen, stressed out. I did not enjoy my family, nor did I enjoy the meal. I was just relieved when it was all over.
What is Jesus trying to tell Martha, and us? What is the one thing that is needed? It seems that Mary gets it. She has chosen to sit and listen to Jesus... to God's very presence. I wonder how we might find time in our busy lives to sit and listen. To be still and let God's presence wash over us, listening for a message of love and grace meant just for us.
Surely, Martha needed to make ready for her guests, but did everything need to be absolutely perfect? Could she have let go at some point and let herself relax and join Mary at Jesus' feet? What would that look like for us? I think back to those holiday meals... I could have asked everyone to bring a dish, so that I wasn't doing everything myself. I could try to plan things ahead of time, instead of reacting. Most of all, I can trust in God to provide what is needed.
Perhaps, that's the bottom line... trust. When we put our trust in Jesus, and rely on God to provide for our needs, then we're left only with living out our lives according to God's love for each of us. When we're stressed and worried, we're not having trust. When we're too busy to take time to listen to our savior, then we may find ourselves stressed out and even lost.
How might you take time to listen to Jesus this week?
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