First off, sorry for no Thursday post... I had an allergy attack and between sleeping, school and chores, I didn't have any time! And now that Track will be starting up next week on Tuesday and Thursdays, I think I'm going to update my blog on Saturday instead! So no worries! I haven't forgotten!!
Anyway! Back to the point. Today during part of my devos (devotions, for those of you who don't know) I read Luke 10:38-42. It reads as follows: "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.”
I've read this passage many, many times, and having heard the monotonous question at least 100 times, "Are you a Mary? Or a Martha?" I tended to pass this passage up without taking time to really think about it. I more read it instead of really thinking about it. But today, a couple things about this verse really stuck out to me, things that were different, not just the typical "Mary or Martha" question.
In verses 41-42, notice how patient and kind Jesus was!!! Martha really just lashed out in anger at everything and everyone, even Jesus!! Jesus calmed her, and kindly showed her what was more important, which was spending quality time with Him. This is so amazing, because I know that if someone bossed me around and yelled at me like that, I sure wouldn't have responded this way! We can learn so much from how He handled this situation. Guess what would have happened if Jesus had yelled back at her and said, "Excuse me! Who do you think you are to yell at me like that? And to boss me around! I am the Son of God. No one talks to me that way!" Well, that sure wouldn't have helped this situation, would it? Of course not! Jesus could have yelled back at Martha. If anyone had a right to yell back at her, He sure did! But He didn't. By not yelling at her, He took the fiery situation, and instead of throwing fuel on it, He threw water on it, extinguished Martha's fiery temper and helped her get her priorities back in line. Think how much better off we would be if we handled out situations kindly and calmly like Jesus did!!
And then verse 41-42b really opened my eyes. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." When you are flustered, stressed, worried, upset and angry, what do you do to get your mind off of the stresses and strains of life? Answer this question honestly. For me, I tend to go to my iPod; listen to music, check Facebook, play games... but when I'm done messing around on my iPod, I still feel upset and empty... Why? Because the only true way to get your mind off of your problems, calm down and *still* be calm and feel complete when you are done is to spend time with your precious Jesus. Taking time like Mary did to get away from everyday life and relaxing with Jesus, telling Him *everything*, is the most rewarding thing you could do! Notice how Jesus says, "... but only one thing is needed." That one thing is Him!
Try to remember as a new week starts to go to Jesus first when you are upset and stressed out. And try to remember the way Jesus handled poor, upset Martha when people come to you and lash out at you.
Much, much love,
Brittany(:
Sooooo good Brittany dear! I loved the part about how Jesus handled Martha..thank you so much for that I was in a situation like that today that definitely didn't handle how Jesus would've. :'( I thought of a few verses to go along with it...first of all Proverbs 15:1 - "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" And then also how Jesus handled people WHILE he was about to be crucified, Matthew 27:11-15 - "Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly."
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking how a lot of times we try to get the last word in so that we can look better, but when we handle it how Jesus would...we always "come out on top"!