♥ Hey friends! My guest post series continues TODAY with writer/blogger Amy Fritz! I hope you enjoy! ♥
There were about a half dozen of us together that morning at our Bible study class- women’s ministry leaders, Bible study teachers, women new to their faith, and women who had been believers for decades. We were gathered for the purpose of growing deeper in the foundational truths of the gospel. That day, the adult daughter of one of my classmates was visiting and she served up a question from her corner of the table:
“You know that story about Mary and Martha? I don’t know how to do it all. I feel stressed out on Sunday mornings from wrangling the kids. How do I make this work?”
She was tired, overwhelmed and wanting to get it right. Every woman in the room nodded in agreement.
I love that question because it represents my struggle and likely yours.
This past summer, I spent some time studying the account of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. If that young mom was sitting across from me right now, I’d tell her what I learned. I’d tell her we often miss things when we look at this passage and I would offer her hope.
This is for the new mom, the seasoned mom, the single woman, the empty-nester and anyone who feels like they are failing at balancing everything.
Jesus cares about and invests in women.
In a society that didn’t give much value to women, Jesus made a specific point to reach out to them. They were there at every pivotal step in his ministry. He calls them by name. Fight against the insecurity that tries to tell you that your spiritual development is worth any less due to your gender.
“Now, as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. A woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.” {Luke 10:38-39}
Busyness is not a new problem.
“But Martha was distracted with much serving.” {Luke 10:40}
If Martha lived next door to us today, she would be the mom who is trying to figure out how to get to baseball practice, clean her house, and remember to pick up teacher gifts for Christmas. She’s distracted. Her calendar is full. Don’t for a single moment think the gospel isn’t timeless!
Bible scholars say the word used in the original language for “distracted” is “periespato”. It means to be pulled or dragged in different directions. I have to chuckle at that picture. Being pulled in all directions isn’t a new problem.
When we’re stressed out, we point fingers at others.
“And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.” {Luke 10:40}
Oh, Martha. I can relate. Having guests over for dinner sounded like a great plan at the time. 5 minutes of toilet scrubbing later, I’m the mom holding the dripping toilet brush and hollering at her kids and husband to pick up their dirty laundry, and for heaven’s sake, when was the last time we vacuumed?
Our biggest problem is that we don’t leave well enough alone.
I used to think this passage was a statement on how serving can distract us from the important work of spending time with Jesus. As I studied, I found a take on this account I hadn’t heard before. Some commentators suggest that Martha wasn’t simply doing the necessary things one needs to do to prepare for houseguests. She had finished the necessary tasks, but she was busying herself with more.
Sometimes we’re stressed out because of circumstances beyond our control, other times we’re unable to balance things because we’re doing too much. It’s possible to fill our lives to the brim with good things and miss the best thing. That’s where the problem lies. The problem isn’t that we’re doing bad things, but that we aren’t leaving space for what really matters.
Jesus’ response to our weariness is always life-giving.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” {Luke 10:41-42}
Jesus’ good news to Martha was meant to lighten her load. In a world of Pinterest-perfect parties, understanding when enough is enough is a lost skill. Jesus tells Martha and the rest of us listening in, “Stop doing the good things that crowd out the best things, and pull up a chair and let’s talk.”
Worried, stretched in all directions, friend? The good news from Jesus is that he sees you, he knows your name and he would love to lighten your load.
About Amy
Amy Fritz is a wife, mom and writer. She is passionate about encouraging women in their faith, and connecting them to each other and to God’s Word. She loves giving hope to women who are finding their way after relocating or going through life transitions. She and her husband live near Nashville, TN and homeschool their three children. You can find her on her blog at amyfritzwrites.com, or on Facebook or Twitter.