What lasts forever? It’s not our worries that last. After all, one worry will be displaced by another worry and another and another. There is no end to them. That devilish cycle. But being silent in God’s presence. That’s the chance of a lifetime. And lasts your whole life long. As you do it, again and again and again, every day in prayer. That’s why the Psalmist said, “Even silence is praise.”. ~ Rick Hamlin
Sometime in the last week, Mary and Martha were mentioned and it sent me down the rabbit hole. Again. Perhaps because I can be a bit of a contrarian, I have always sympathized with Martha. Why should Mary get all the kudos when she’s sitting down, listening to the Master while Martha is working her tush off in the kitchen? If that wasn’t bad enough, people criticize Martha for not having her priorities straight. In fairness, I wasn’t in possession of sufficient facts to form a conclusion. Since I couldn’t locate a Paul Harvey episode that covered this topic, I had to find the rest of the story myself.
My Ryrie Study Bible didn’t shed much light on the subject, so I took the most obvious course of action; I went to Google. No, I wasn’t reduced to relying on Wikipedia, but I did find a book about Mary and Martha (who knew?) and the reviews were very positive. Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver appeared to be a promising thread to pull, so I downloaded it and began reading with a degree of urgency. The good news (no pun intended) is that I found at least part of the backstory I sought. The bad news is that I learned a fair amount about myself that didn’t put me in a particularly flattering light.
Before we go there, I will say that my interpretation of Ms. Weaver’s work (from either perspective) is just that. Conclusions I have drawn.
Secular perspective
No, I haven’t done anything that could result in criminal or civil proceedings. However, my readings have brought to mind one specific incident from years ago that I’d just as soon forget. My son was visiting and we had just finished eating. As usual, as soon as I took my last bite I rose to begin clearing the table and returning the kitchen to some semblance of order. I asked my son if I could get him anything else, and he said something that haunts me still. “Mom, I really wish you’d just sit down and talk to me.”
I am always anxious that my guests enjoy their time in my home, especially when those guests are my children. Or their children. I make every effort to cook their favorites and make sure they’re comfortable. What I sometimes forget is that while they probably appreciate the preparations, they are primarily coming to see me.
Of course, I feel the same way when I visit them. Plans and meals made with me in mind are quite nice, but I most enjoy my children’s homes when we just sit on the porch and chill. And that takes me back to Martha. And Mary.
Based on my readings, the culture of Jesus’ time dictated that women did not interact with male guests unless it involved the preparation and service of meals. Mary was being bold in her actions by going AWOL (with regard to meal prep) and especially by sitting next to Jesus to listen to Him speak. His rebuke to Martha was instructional, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.” Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, Luke 10: 41. An elaborate meal, even for a guest of Jesus’ status, wasn’t necessary and only created frustration. She was worrying needlessly.
The spiritual
Let’s shift gears a bit. Even without leaving our homes and without assuming guests are expected, a daunting number of tasks call our names. Add to that the obligation we feel (speaking on behalf of my Christian brothers and sisters) to be about the Lord’s work. Many of us create our own pressure; we don’t need outside influences to get in on the act. Maybe we (I), like Martha, indulge in grand gestures that He never required. Taking a Charles Spurgeon quote about Martha from Weaver’s book, “… Her fault was that she grew ‘cumbered with much serving,’ so that she forgot him and only remembered the service.” The point that Weaver makes more than once is that sometimes Christians are so immersed in “religious activities” that we don’t keep our priorities straight. We forget to take care of the people.
Wrap up
I have more to learn about the interaction between Mary and Martha and Jesus. Clearly, I don’t know everything there is to know about the Gospel of Luke reference, much less the context around their activities in the Gospel of John. And then there’s timing. I don’t know whether God will give me enough time to gain an understanding of these issues or if I’ll need to check out the FAQs. You know – later. In the meantime, my intellectual curiosity is piqued and I’ll be looking for resources to fill in the blanks. I just like to know things.
You?
Interesting tidbits from Weaver's book (and links to more detail)
- 40% of the things we worry about will never happen; only 8% are about problems that can be solved.
- According to Dr. Charles H. Mayo, worry affects the whole nervous system.
- Simeon the Stylite was the first guy to dedicate the bulk of his life to prayer and contemplation – while sitting on a very tall pillar.
- Self-pity (in the dictionary) is between self-perpetuating and self-pollinating. Ok. I had to look this one up and there is one more word in between the two–at least in my dictionary, but it’s still funny.
- The Bible tells us to “fear not” more than 350 times. While anxiety and fear are not identical, they are definitely related. As an aside, some sources (and I won’t link them all) indicate this phrase only appears 70+ times, but still.
Please feel free to fact-check the above items. I have no pride of authorship. 😉
Love, love, love the comment from your son as well as the tidbits from Weaver’s book. Fascinating. You are, however, leading me down the rabbit hole! WHY do we worry unnecessarily?
Perhaps we are operating under the illusion that we have control?
Food for thought, Gayle—thank you! Sometimes my worry comes from an exaggerated sense of responsibility. And, as you said, “the illusion that we have control.”