Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him.
39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He said.
40 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!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,
42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Often, I’d encountered Christian women who said they’re the Martha in the church, and they say this a little grudgingly. I’m no slouch when it comes to Christian ministry, often juggling 6-7 different areas of service while raising my family. I admit that serving God is like my full- or part-time job. Some of my church sisters are indeed overworked and desperately need an extended time of renewal. Others seems to be enjoying one conference after another, hopping from one Bible study and fellowship to another, or retreating from church life. Why work? Why rest? Are we supposed to be a Martha or a Mary? Jesus seemed to favor the restful Mary, and that doesn’t sit too well with the hard-working Marthas out there. Perhaps I can offer another perspective, as one obviously in the Martha camp. Inside, I’m a Mary, and I had to make time to be a Mary or else I can’t serve effectively as a Martha. The purpose of rest here on earth is to renew our passion, strength, and vision to serve God and extend His kingdom on earth. But being finite frail human beings, if we don’t rest regularly, our bodies break down, as well as our souls, and in worse cases, even our families. We’re not in heaven yet, so we’re not entitled to “rest” the rest of our lives away.
So ladies (and gentlemen too!), are we to be both? Let’s know how to rest like Mary so then we can serve like Martha.
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