Where I Struggle: Mary vs. Martha

Luke 10:38-42
³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

The other day, it hit me like a load of bricks. I hadn't even read this passage in a long time, but it suddenly overwhelmed me.

I'm a Martha.

The Martha that is so busy tending to her home and entertaining her guests that she doesn't pause and spend quality time with her Savior. The Savior that is right there waiting for her!

I have long admired the Proverbs 31 woman.

She is God's shining example of biblical womanhood.

But in that quest to be all that she is, sometimes I lose sight of the heart of the Proverbs 31 woman and focus on her actions.

I want to be a blessing to my husband, future children, family, friends and church body.

I feel like having a perfect little home, from-scratch dinner on the table every night and an open home for guests makes me a Proverbs 31 woman.

I get so caught up in making everything perfect that I forget the only One who is perfect.

Though my intentions are good, my heart needs to be in the right place.

Instead of frantically searching for one more recipe, I can spend time thanking the One who provides my food.

Instead of vacuuming the floors one more time before guests arrive, I can prepare my heart for godly fellowship and gratitude for a home to minister to others.

Instead of focusing on my outward beauty I can focus on the inward spirit God created and cultivates in me.

So dear friends,

Please learn from me that being a 'Mary' has eternal value. Spending time at the Savior's feet is worth so much more than a perfect home. Yes, God calls us women to be a blessing to our families and homes. But first comes our hearts. If we are filling our days with toils for a perfect life just to check it off our list, we are in the wrong. If we do those things with a heart of gratitude and to be a blessing to those around us, then we are doing as He has called us.

God has placed us all in our unique circumstances to bring Glory to Him and to bless those who are around us.

As this busy time of the year demands a lot of our time in preparation, I pray that you will spend some time at our dear Savior's feet, growing in your relationship with Him.