Recently I was drawn to the story of Martha and Mary who hosted Jesus and some of the disciples when they visited them, and the thought came to me; that our ACTIVITY can become our CAPTIVITY. Anxiety often comes when we desire to control situations that are out of our control.
WHY did Mary ignore Martha’s challenge to do more in preparation for the meal ahead? Why was Martha so active, while Mary, so to speak, chose the “better part?” Many people blame Martha, but I think I might have done the same and be concerned that I have a proper meal ready for those who choose to enjoy my hospitality. When the enemy cannot tempt us with destruction, he tries to tempt us with distraction or unnecessary worries. Are we easily disturbed when busyness hits us? What is uppermost in our minds when something unexpected happens or we need to get ready to do, or to go somewhere in a hurry? Yes, Martha was serving Jesus, but she was agitated in the captivity of activity.
In Luke 10:40 we read that Martha said – “Lord, don’t you care?” Jesus ALWAYS CARES, even during our busy activities, even when He tenderly and gently tries to capture our attention and choices to take the better part and be still before Him, to wait upon Him. Isaiah 30:15 in ESV says – “For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength…” Do we choose the quiet calmness in the presence of our Good Shepherd when activities push us? Even during the strivings and hustle and bustle of life, we can still make the choice to be peaceful inwardly and concentrate on the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit.
In three places in the Bible, where we read about Mary; we notice that she made the constant choice to sit at the feet of Jesus. Perhaps she was desperate to get closer to Him, to feel His presence, to experience His gentleness, His healing, His love. Receiving answers to our prayers or desiring physical, spiritual or emotional healing needs time to sit at Jesus’ feet. Have you noticed that whenever you feel hurried or distracted, that if you take a deep breath and quietly breathe in the sweet presence of our blessed Saviour, that calmness and a sense of well-being will enter your spirit.
The Hebrew name for Mary is Miriam, the root word meaning bitterness. It also means beloved in the Biblical Egyptian sense. Perhaps Mary felt the need to be closer to Jesus so that every trace of bitter worries could be removed from her. The name Martha means Mistress but in Greek and Latin it means Turban which means a crowd. Maybe Martha’s mind and life were crowded with too many things which can happen so easily with any one of us. What “crowds” your mind daily? Is there room for stable peace and tranquility?
Strongs concordance tells us that when Martha asked Jesus – “Don’t you care?” that Jesus’ reply to her meant – “You have care, but it is driven by anxiety.” We need to praise Abba Father when the going gets tough, and to also thank Him amidst the turmoil, because gratitude and praise chase away anxiety, doubts, and fear. Phil. 4:6 says – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I have noticed in my own life, that as soon as I express gratitude to our Lord, that everything seems to go smoother and more blessed.
Precious Father God, thank you that You tell us to cast/throw ALL our anxieties upon Your capable and loving shoulders. Please assist me, when worries or troubles come my way, to make the choice to thank You, and to trust You and to roll ALL my cares upon You because You care for me. (1 Peter 5:7) Please grant me a peaceful heart that does not panic or become nervous when I am faced with much busyness. May my heart be still and know that You are God and that You are infinitely more capable of handling my affairs than I myself am.
Myrtle Turunen