Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Call Me Marty

I was listening to a friend teach the other night at church, Don talked about Mary choosing the finer things by sitting at the feet of Jesus. The phrase call me Marty popped into my head. The Lord said you are more Mary than you used to be, but you still tend to be a Martha. You combine Mary and Martha and you have a Marty.

Do you struggle with being a Martha? I used to be 100 % Martha...probably only Mary as I sat in a chair with my Bible open soaking up the Word of God. This is a struggle for many women. We have a lot to do around the house, many of us work outside the home, there may be children/teens still at home, aging parents, the list continues. It is easy to be a Martha.

We read in Luke 10 beginning with verse 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. 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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

How many of us have missed or nearly the missed the joy of celebrating Jesus' birth because we were caught up in carrying on family traditions, mailing the Christmas cards, making too many commitments because we cannot say no? How many of us serve in too many areas at church? The Lord wants us devoted, He wants us to serve, but He does not want us to cover every area of ministry offered by the church. We keep others who are called from ministering if we do it all. We miss the Lord when we are over committed.

We must operate in the strength of the Holy Spirit...it's not by our might and power, it's by His might and power.

Sit at His feet, spend quiet time with Him, take a few verses from the Psalms or 1 of the Gospels and read it through out the day.

I long for the day, He will say Annette - well done, you are a Mary, you chose what could not be taken away.

6 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

Yes but it was Martha who showed the greatest faith when Jesus showed up after Lazarus had been burried. She knew that even then he could help them! Balance...a little of Mary...a little of Martha! Yes? For me your heart obviously shows a Mary side as well...and I know Jesus is going to say well done good and faithful servant!

annie's eyes said...

This was my memory verse a month ago, and what really stood out was the last phrase, "and it will not be taken from her." I focus on the temporary far too often, and not the eternal which are treasures stored up. I love this, Marty. :)

Wendy said...

This was very interesting. I think most of my life I've been a Martha. And really, I'm wondering if this is why I am now in the situation of Caregiver. Taken away from all the busy-ness of trying to make a living, tending to other people, etc. etc. Not that I don't tend to family, but just not a lot of community and outside things.

I now spend much more time in spiritual pursuits. I think this post has opened my eyes. Thank you.

Molly said...

Well written Abba's Girl - As I read it, listening to George Strait, "West Texas Town." I love how you brought up the trap of missing out in spite of the season. I always remember what Beth covered on this on Life Today and the fact that she was named Martha - but the other was called Mary - Was she called by her condition? Her state of mind?
I live in a Martha world - but when I read the bible or engage in study - I am a Mary and it is hard for me to change back and forth b/c I think I am more a Mary than a Martha. Lord Help ME!

Blessings in His Name,

Siesta OC

PS Thanks for your good thoughts toward the event. Keep it in prayer if you think about it - prime opprotunities of ministry also involve prime opprotunities for attacks.

Cheryl Barker said...

I'll never think of the name "Marty" the same again -- I'm a combination, too :)

Connie Arnold said...

Good post about a wonderful scripture! It's so easy to caught up in being a Martha. Thanks for the reminder to take quiet time to sit at Jesus' feet and by a Mary too!
Connie