A Book Called YouSýnishorn

The Helper

The word Enneagram combines two Greek words: ennea, the number nine, and gram, which means “written,” like a telegram or Instagram. It is simply a tool that helps us understand personalities and remixes the way we approach our relationships with God and others. Enneagrams help us gain insight into ourselves, our loved ones, our God, and even those we find in the Bible. 

There are nine types of Enneagrams. One of them is called the Helper. We love these people. Why? They help us and they serve us. They were Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts. Today, they volunteer at their kids’ schools. At church, Helpers are the first to jump up to serve. If you’re moving, the Helper shows up to help you, to come alongside and serve you. This is who they are.

There would be no church without the Helpers. They serve     so you can attend the worship service. They work in the parking lot so when you pull in, they can help you find a space so that you can maybe get saved and go to heaven. So thank God for them. And thank them for what they do.

Martha was a Helper. Her story begins in Luke 10:38: “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.” Thank God for Martha; she had room for Jesus. Some people have no room for Jesus in their homes or in their hearts. But Martha had room for Jesus in her home, so she welcomed Him over.

So in Luke 10, we see two sisters. Martha is the one who welcomes Jesus to her home. And her sister Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught.

The next verse says, “But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing” (v. 40). Notice the big “but” there. Helpers are wonderful, beautiful, and amazing. They serve us, and they help us. But they are distracted. They can get so wrapped up in the details and in helping, that they miss opportunities.

Now, let’s give Martha some grace. You would be a little nerv ous if Jesus were eating at your house today, right? So Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. Why? Because Jesus Christ was coming over. She was feeding God.

Imagine this: Someone in town asks Martha, “What are you doing today?” She replies, “Oh, you know, just feeding God!”

Verse 40 tells us how Martha responded when she saw her sister Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet: “She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’”

How did Jesus respond? “But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha . . .’” (v. 41). Helpers, that is how Jesus responds to you. Do you feel that? My dear Martha. He continued, “You are worried and upset over all these details!”

I don’t know if He said this, but He could have added, “Are you aware that I can fast for forty days? Even Satan knows that I can turn stones to bread—I’m pretty sure I can handle the Crock-Pot.”

Jesus said, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about” (v. 41–42). For Helpers, it’s easy to serve; it’s easy to clean the house, it’s easy to prepare; it’s easy to do dishes. It’s hard actually to sit and spend time with people—and God.

Jesus said to Martha, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” This is significant: Jesus said that Mary, a woman, was invited to sit at His feet and learn and hear everything He had to say.

The most important thing that was happening at Martha’s house that day was not the food she was preparing, but the food Jesus was serving—His Word. Helpers can miss this.

When I was a little kid, I used to go to my grandparents’ house. My grandpa was Italian. It was a different time and a different place, but when my grandpa’s coffee cup would get empty, he would tap his fingers on the table, and my grandma would come in and fill his cup. When I got married, and my coffee cup was empty, I tapped my fingers, and Tammy said, “What’s wrong with your fingers? Do you have a twitch?”

        My grandma was a Helper. She walked around the house asking me, “Did you eat? Are you hungry? Do I need to wipe your nose? What do I need to wipe?” I didn’t need a bath; I’d just go to Grandma’s house. I’d get clean. That’s how she loved. She loved to serve. 

       Helpers, it’s okay to love serving, but you need to know you’re more than that. God didn’t just create you for service. He created you, Marthas, for relationship. For the sake of relationship, Mary chose the right thing. There is a time to help, but there is also a time to sit and listen. So unplug the Crock-Pot and sit at the table and learn. You’re invited.

Respond

Describe a “Martha” in your life, it might even be you.

When in life, have you intentionally chosen relationship over helping?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me be sensitive to Your leading, to know when to serve and when to sit and listen.