Finding Stillness in a Busy WorldSample

Compliment or Competition?

Martha has a considerate and a humble heart, too. She was hospitable and showed kindness to her guests. Let’s get real, women get things done! In a way, I do understand Martha’s complaint. She has been villainized about her question to Jesus. Jesus don’t you care? Do you even see me doing all these things for you?

Honestly, Martha appeals to my perfectionist tendencies. Being the older sister, she was the coordinator of the household. After all, Jesus and His band of brothers were due to arrive soon and she had a feast to prepare. She had no time to waste and had to work efficiently.

Being the youngest of three in my family, both my older sister and brother will tell you that I received the “easy” duty when it came to doing chores. They claim I was favored because I was the youngest. I see it all differently. And maybe that’s what Martha was really saying. Putting myself in Martha’s shoes, I can relate to her frustration and perceived anger at Mary.

To Martha, Mary must have acted lazy. However, it was in Martha’s personality to work to make every detail of this dinner party perfect. Or at least she tried to. Whether Martha simply ran out of time or patience, we must remember that Jesus is never wrong and doesn’t lead people to sin. Instead, He focused on speaking the truth while He carried the weight of the world on His shoulders.

Instead of applauding Martha, Jesus gently rebukes her telling her Mary has chosen what was “better." Mary had her focus in the right place at the right time. Jesus invites us to dismount the busy treadmill of life, and simply focus on what’s important. Jesus teaches through Mary’s example how to practically focus your servant’s heart of humility and show a better way to serve.

This doesn’t mean that one sister was right and one was wrong. We are all different, and have different personalities. God made each of us to compliment each other, not compete. Each gift and personality has its own strengths, weaknesses, and temptations. Knowing what was in their heart at the time, Jesus knew their individual motivations too. He simply said that “Mary has chosen the better part.” For both women, it was a choice. And it’s a choice we each can make too.