Having A Mary Heart In A Martha WorldSample

Be Still

The Living Room Intimacy Mary enjoyed with Jesus will never come out of the busyness of Martha’s Kitchen. Busyness, by itself, breeds distraction. Luke 10:38 shows us a woman with the gift of hospitality. Martha opened her home to Jesus, but that doesn’t automatically mean she opened her heart. In her eagerness to serve Jesus, she almost missed the opportunity to know Jesus. 

Luke tells us that “Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” Keyword: had. In Martha’s mind, nothing less than the very best would do. She had to go all out for Jesus. 

We can get caught in the same performance trap, feeling as though we must prove our love for God by doing great things for Him. So we rush past the intimacy of the Living Room to get busy for Him in the Kitchen—implementing great ministries and wonderful projects, all in an effort to spread the good news. We do all our works in His name. We call Him “Lord, Lord.” But in the end, will He know us? Will we know Him? 

The kingdom of God, you see, is a paradox. While the world applauds achievement, God desires companionship. The world clamors, “Do more! Be all that you can be!” But our Father whispers, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). 

E.M. Bounds writes, “God’s acquaintance is not made hurriedly. He does not bestow His gifts on the casual or hasty comer and goer. To be much alone with God is the secret of knowing Him and of influence with Him.” 

God isn’t looking as much for workers as He is looking for sons and daughters—a people to pour His life into. 

When are you most likely to get caught in the performance trap—with church, school, parenting, work? In what ways does the world applaud your achievements in those areas? How would your perspective on your accomplishments change if you focused first on God’s desire for your companionship?