Real Hope: Service & HospitalityНамуна

Is Busy The Same As Service?

I recently heard the story of a shopper who was short a few dollars at the checkout. As they were pulling out a few items, a stranger offered to cover the shortfall. The shopper protested, however the man shared that his mother was being treated for cancer and he took flowers every day. That day his mother demanded he stop wasting money on flowers. ‘So please accept this,’ he said pushing the cash towards the shopper. ‘They’re my mum’s flowers.’

Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus loved them. Martha was rushing about, huffing and harrumphing through her labours while Mary locked her gaze on Jesus, soaking up every moment. It’s too easy to admonish Martha for being mistaken in her fussing about while nodding in sanctified approval to Mary as the wise one. However, this story is more than a laziness-versus-productivity tale. It’s one of focus versus distraction. Martha’s distraction prevents her from being truly present, distanced her from her sister and interrupted her relationship with Jesus. Jesus’ words are not condemnation but the voice of a friend inviting Martha to lock in on the one thing that will last longer than her preparations. He loved Martha and didn’t want her to miss out on real service.

Are your heroic weekly commitments (sometimes even church related) your distraction? The man who paid for the groceries was only able to serve because he was not distracted.

Written by DWAYNE JEFFRIES