Luke 10:38-42: "While Jesus and his followers were travelling, Jesus went into a town. A woman named Martha let Jesus stay at her house. Martha had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at Jesus'feet and listening to him teach. But Martha was busy with all the work to be done. She went in and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me."
But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her."
Which sister are you most like?
Martha...given to hospitality and organization...is there anything wrong with that? NO. Mary...likes to think...she likes to listen to Jesus teach...is there anything wrong with that? NO. Then where's the problem? It's in the attitude and balance.
Martha wanted Mary to help her. Did she ask her? No. Instead she stewed about it, got upset and went to Jesus about her sister. Have you ever done that? Have I? Yes, I have. I find that I am a lot like Martha. Martha wanted to do what was right; but she had a bad attitude about doing it alone. Why do we do things? Is it for us or is it for God? We need to examine our hearts. Why was Martha upset with Mary? What she was doing was good; but why was she doing it? Maybe she wanted credit and didn't get it...maybe she wanted a compliment...maybe she wanted to be noticed...whatever the reason, it was wrong. She was being selfish...she wanted the glory. Why do we do what we do for God? Do we have selfish motives; or do we do it for God. It is so easy to do things for the wrong reasons...I have problems with that. No matter how hard I try not to be selfish when doing things, it has a way of creeping in. I am working on this. I ask God to help me do things for His glory, not mine. I have to keep asking though.
Mary...was there anything wrong with sitting at Jesus' feet listening ...no, of course not. But we need balance in our lives. We need to be like both sisters...it's good to serve and it's good to listen...but watch the attitude that goes with both...Mary could have been the one to get mad...she could have been jealous of her sister...she could have thought that Martha wasn't as spiritual as she was...the balance of things is having a right attitude...it's a heart matter. Where is your heart at?
I want to be like both Mary and Martha...one that serves with the right attitude and also has time to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen. This is an ongoing thing...ask God to help you to have a right attitude...and to have the time to really listen to what He has to say to you.
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