Back at it!

 

I could have picked a better week to come back.  Lots going on.  Weddings, anniversarys, 40th birthday parties,  meetings, Day camp, and so on.    Also, a lot going on in the lives of people.  As Tim wrote in his column last week, so many people going through a rough patch in their life.  This has been true.   So, it keeps one, at least this one, busy.  Busy. busy, busy, and that's a good thing, right?

 

 

We have the story of Mary and Martha this Sunday (Luke 10:38-42); a story I like, but a story whose real meaning I have not been willing to accept.  The scene is this:  Jesus stops by to see Mary and Martha, and Martha immediately falls into the roll as hostess.  She is working in the kitchen making tater tot hotdish and koolaid for her guests, but Mary has chosen to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen.   Martha is upset and turns to  Jesus, "Can't you see how busy I am, and Mary is just sitting there listening.  Tell her to get off her butt and come  in here and help me."  

 

Then Jesus says to Martha, "Martha, Martha your are a worry wart.   Mary has chosen the better thing to do and it won't be taken  away from her."  

 

In past sermons I have avoided what I believe is Jesus' real message, by talking about how the church needs both reflective people and action people; we need Marys and we need Marthas.  We need people who can spend long   time quietly reflecting, studying, reading, learning, so they can impart their knowledge and depth of faith on to the rest of us who are the doers, the builders, the shakers, the movers.   Sounds good, doesn't it?   But deep down I know it is an interpretation that falls short. 

 

We are always on the go.  Always making, doing, or producing something.   We rarely slow down, except to eat and sleep, and even then we eat in our cars or nod off when we finally do sit down.  So busy that it is hard for even God to catch up with us. 

 

So when we finally do sit down, and God can catch up to us (in worship, prayer, Bible study, quiet time) Jesus says "That's the better part.  Take it." 

 

Listening to  God, or growing in faith through worship, Bible study, self reflection is crucial toward keeping our faith  strong and keeping things in persepctive, and any time you have the opportunity to commune with God  take it. 

 

Mary has made that choice for now, so Martha, enjoy this gift that Jesus is giving you.  Sit down and listen. The hotdish can wait.