I don't know about you but when I first read this passage or maybe it was the 100th time, it ticked me off. I couldn't understand why Jesus would talk with Martha in the manner that he did when all she was wanting to do was make her guests at home and welcome the savior warmly. Obviously I'm a Martha. Then it hit me... that was her role and yet she was upset with Mary because Mary's role wasn't the same. I think we do this a lot more than we realize in life. We find ourselves busy doing works that we don't recognize when Jesus says sometimes "choose what is better" come sit with me a while, lean back against me and just breathe me in. Just breathe.... listen.... spend a little time with me.
I had to recognize that there is a time for my hands to be busy, my feet to be moving, my heart to be loving and then there are times when I simply need to be at his feet. We seem to think that we run on batteries like the energizer bunny and just keep going and going until finally we just can't beat that little drum any longer and we wonder why we feel such dispare and our bodies tired and often become ill. No one can run at full speed all the time without rest. Even God on the 7th day took a day of rest so why do we think we can keep going and never slow down?
Aside from the rest that our bodies and minds need is a chance to have our souls fed by the one who designed us with the sole purpose of having a relationship with us. He so wants to just have us at his feet so that he can restore us and teach us about his love and grace. When have you ever been in a relationship that required no time with you, no communication...nothing? Hmmmm, I can't recall of one and my guess is that you can't either. I can also say that anytime that a relationship hasn't been nurtured that it often has fallen apart and the relationship ends. I am so thankful that God our Father never gives up on a relationship with me, nor you. He continues to woo us and pursue us and even hung the stars and the moon for us. At Christmas I quoted from one of my favorite movies, "It's a Wonderful Life". Remember in the movie George asks Mary (how appropriate her name is Mary) if she wants the moon because he'd tied a laso around it and give it to her? That's what our Heavenly Daddy does when we sit at his feet. He ties a rope around the moon and gives it to us to brighten our darkest nights all because he loved us from the moment he created us and all he wants in return is for us to sit at his feet and spend time with him.
There is certainly a time and place to be Martha too. Her value, our value, in our service and hospitality to one another is invaluable and is rewarded. But that is for another time, another blog.
God is calling you to sit a while at his feet. Can you put all your busy stuff down for a moment and just sit with him? Can you lay back against him and breathe? For the next few moments, listen to this song.... close your eyes and sit at his feet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3GijrnfStk
Heather
