Martha and Mary Voorbeeld

Learn to Let Go

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” Luke 10:40-41

Sometimes in life things are different than you wish for or expect. Martha thought that Jesus would be on her side, but it all turned out different than she might have hoped for and expected. Jesus didn't judge her and He didn't brush her aside. Jesus teaches Martha to think. A life lesson being very useful for the rest of her life. Jesus’ mission is different than we expect.

Sometimes as Christians we can try to let God do the work. In all fairness I can do the same sometimes. To avoid confrontation I pass the ball to Jesus hoping He will make the next move. But He doesn't play our game. 

He has come to serve us, but in a different way.

Matthew 20:28, ‘Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, to give His life as a ransom for many.’

Martha is very busy but she does not have to be. She should learn to let go and discover that her identity does not depend on the way she devotes herself to others, or Jesus in this case. Faith in Jesus is not about what you do and how you act. The Kingdom of God is a reversed kingdom. It is different and clearly prioritizes differently.

Questions:
What do you have to let go in order to become closer to Jesus?