Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World
The twenty-four hours in a day rarely stretch far enough for us to meet all the obligations we face on a daily bases. If you're anything like me, and I believe many of you are - our lives are out of control. OUR LIVES ARE OVERSCHEDULED, and we long for peace in our lives.
We have a Mary heart in a Martha World. As you read Luke 10:38-42 you will observe that Mary is mellow by nature. As a 2004 modern day lady she would be more prone to sit in the sun light and soak up God's beauty in nature. Whereas, Martha seems to be more high strung - caught up in the "dos" of the day. Martha is more like the working woman of today.
We live in a constant tension between the urgent and the important. There's just so much to do - we tell others and ourselves this daily. It's a choice we each make. Business by itself breeds distraction. It's Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Distractions are what Satan wants in our lives. Don't fall into the trap. It is so easy because most of us are high achievers or perfectionists.
Martha opened her home up to Jesus, but that didn't mean she automatically opened her heart. In her eagerness to serve Jesus, she almost missed the opportunity to know Him. Does this ever happen to you? Luke tells us Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. What's the key word? HAD! You see in Martha's mind, she HAD to go all out for Jesus. We can get caught up in the same performance trap - feeling as if we must prove ourselves.
We schedule our children in dance, piano, and football. We have to purchase the best of everything. We go to every mall in the area trying to outdo one another. Sorority meeting is today and the church council is meeting after that, and then I have to get to the grocery store and then and then and then...
Does any of this sound familiar? You got the picture. The world applauds achievement - God desires companionship. The world says, "Do more!" Be all that you can be! The Father whispers, "Be still and know that I am God." We must be like Jesus, about our Father's business, drawing closer to the heart of God.
We're so busy "doing stuff" that we put work before worship. And that's why we too often feel overwhelm. It is having a Mary heart in a Martha world. We're putting the cart before the horse. The horse must come first, or we end up pulling the cart ourselves. Frustrated and weary, we will break under the pressure of "doing" for there will always be something that needs to be done. We must find balance in our lives and it starts with sitting at the feet of Jesus - worshipping.
When we spend time with God first, take time to hear His voice. God provides the horsepower we need to pull the load. Because ladies, there is a load of something always waiting. It's how we approach the load. We must ask ourselves, what are our attitude and our motive?
Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. She didn't move a muscle. She listened. Her gift was availability. She made herself available to the Lord. The only requirement for having peace, balance and a deeper friendship with the Master is showing up with a heart open and ready to receive. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who a weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. The my yoke..." Matthew 11:28-29
We too often allow the enemy to steal our peace and get us out of balance. We worry about getting all the stuff done. Whatever "our stuff" might be. Like Martha, we get upset and worried about many things, trying to figure out how we can get this, that, and the other completed.
Begin to establish your priorities by consulting with the Master planner before you take on a task. The truly disciplined person has the ability to subordinate the lesser to the greater. Philippians 1:10 tells us, "learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value". A disciplined person would know that spending his or her quality time with God was more important than hanging on the phone in a vain (useless, purposeless) conversation. A disciplined person would excuse himself/herself (politely) and choose the greater not the lesser.
Disciplined character requires good choices consistently. Success or failure hinges on the ability to prioritize. We get so preoccupied with our problems, schedules, activities, dates and so busy focusing on our own inabilities to get things done until there is really no room to add God to the picture. We should be focusing on God. When we do that, Paul says, "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:7
When we decide to pray instead of worry - when we choose to have a grateful heart in not-so-great circumstances - then the peace of God comes and takes over. Relieved of duty, we can take off our worry beads and pick up our shield of faith. "Don't let your hearts be troubled" "Trust in God; thrust also in me" John 14:1. Too often we're bearing burdens we're not called to carry. In the book of Haggai 1:5 we're told, to give careful thought to our ways.
The "one thing" Jesus said was needed in Martha's life was fellowship with him - and that's true for us too. Here are some "one thing" practices to consider when life feels overwhelming as outlined in the book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Joanna Weaver
1. Invite Jesus to rule and reign. Each morning before you get out of bed invite the Lord to come take the throne of your life, to be your 'one thing'. Present your day to Him and ask Him for wisdom and guidance.
2. Ask God to reveal the next step. As you go through your day, keep asking the Lord, "What is the one thing I need to do next/"Don't let the big picture overwhelm you. Just take the next step as he reveals it - wash one dish, make one phone call, and exercise for one solid 30 mins. Then take the next step and the next.
3. Have faith that what needs to get done will get done. Since you have dedicated your day to the Lord, trust that he'll show you the one thing or many things that must be done. Do what you can do in the time allotted. Then trust that what wasn't accomplished was either unnecessary or is being taken care of by God.
4. Be open to the Spirit's leading. You may find your day interrupted by divine appointment. Instead of resisting the interruptions, flow with the one thing as God brings it across your path. You'll be amazed at the joy and freedom that comes from surrendering your agenda and cooperating with His.
Proverbs 16:3 tell us "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Man makes his plans, but God orders his steps." Proverb 16:9 We can live balanced lives if we choose to. The choice is ours.
Let's exercise the promise written in John 8:31-32 "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." We are free; peace is ours in our newly balanced lives. Praise God.
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