Sunday, September 26, 2010

Martha or Mary?

“Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and I won’t take it away from her.’” Luke 10:38-42. (NLV). Manic Monday is here again. Our weeks are consumed with necessary tasks. Tasks like taking the kids to school, going to work, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, doing laundry, helping with homework, running errands, driving the kids to activities, and attending meetings. We all love our families. Some of us love our work (most of the time) and some of us even love some of the mundane tasks necessary for everyday life. Even so, what are the simple pleasures for you in life? What makes you happy? What do you do to unwind? What helps you relax? It varies for me. Sometimes after a long mentally exhausting day at the office, I like to sit in front of the TV watching a mindless show that requires no thinking. Other times exercise, a warm bath, watching my favorite team play, a game with family, or dinner with my family or friends helps me unwind and relax. Also, chocolate always makes me happy. As humans we do lots of things for pleasure and relaxation like beach or ski vacations, dancing, participating in sports, or attending sporting events. We need rest and relaxation. We need to recharge our batteries and do something purely for fun or we will burnout and not be any good to ourselves or anyone else. All of these things are nice and provide temporary pleasure and relaxation. Do not get me wrong. I am not saying there is anything wrong with watching TV, eating sweets, exercising, playing sports or attending sporting events. The fleeting pleasures of this earth provide temporary pleasure for all of us at times. However, there are other times that my soul stirs so loudly and I long to sit at Jesus’ feet; because, that is the only place my soul will find contentment. The things of this earth cannot quash the discontent inside me. It is in Jesus that my soul finds lasting pleasure, solace, rest, peace and fulfillment. Where do you sit at Jesus' feet? For me, it is my bedroom or our office where I shut myself away from my family to spend some alone time with Jesus. Martha was so consumed with the necessary everyday tasks that she failed to spend time with Jesus enjoying his company and listening to him teach. Mary sat at His feet drinking in every word. Oh how I long to be Mary, but know that I am Martha the majority of the time. Instead of longing for the fleeting pleasures of watching a mindless TV sitcom or consuming a piece of chocolate, I pray that I will find lasting pleasure sitting at the feet of Jesus. I pray Jesus will be my place of rest and relaxation. We all crave deeper fulfillment that only God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit can provide. May we all find pleasure in sitting at the Triune God's feet. Prayer: Jesus, please help me to seek you daily, to sit at your feet and hear what you want to teach and share with me. For you are the only source of pleasure, fulfillment, peace, and rest. Rachel Olsen is having a devotion carnival today. Please check out her blog at Rachel Olsen to read more devotions on simple pleasures.

16 comments:

  1. Heather, I confess that on long days (especially the ones that my husband is working late) at the end of the day and the kids are in bed I retreat to my bed, grab the remote and watch a mindless show and decompress. However, I've been convicted about turning it off and spending this time with God, allowing Him to relax me and comfort me. Thank you for the reminder!!

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  2. That was a lovely long list of pleasure - thank you!

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  3. Me too! I wish for more Jesus in my life!

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  4. Peace lies at the feet of Jesus. Yes it does. Amen.

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  5. Agreed. I strive to be more like Mary instead of Martha in that regard, as well.

    Thankful for the true and complete fulfillment Christ gives.

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  6. I always imagine that Martha was banging her pots and pans during all this. Thanks for the reminder that there is a difference between taking it easy and and being with Jesus.

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  7. That was fantastic! I can relate to the "mindless" activities after a 10 hour day at the office. Then I feel bad when I have 4 children that need me to be in top "Mom" form.
    Thank you for reminding me that my body may crave the earthly simple pleasures but my souls craves something that lasts into eternity. AND benefits both body and spirit. Thank you~

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  8. Yes, there are those evenings at the end of long days that I want mindless TV as well. But, the time I feel most relaxed is when I spend the evening in God's word being refreshed by Him.

    Mary

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  9. Heaather.......beautiful post! I love the ending, "For you are the only source of pleasure, fulfillment, peace, and rest". Thank you for sharing!

    Kelly

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  10. Hi Heather,
    My husband likes to have the tv on in the bedroom as he's falling asleep, and there are night's that all I want is quiet with Jesus. I take a blanket and pillow and sleep on the couch, after praying for a long time, and sometimes listening to Jars of Clay Redemption Songs as I fall asleep. (I always make sure the hubby knows I'm not mad, I just need dark and quiet sometimes.) I wake up so refreshed...I feel like my conversation with Jesus lasted all through the night.

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  11. Hi Heather,
    So nice to meet you through this "Carnival."
    Your post touched on a struggle I deal with continually, one common to most women, how to be more like Mary in a Martha world (I think that is the title of a book somewhere!).
    I really appreciate your words: "The things of this earth cannot quash the discontent inside me." What a great reminder to run to JESUS instead of to the things that can not satisfy!
    Blessings~

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  12. I too love the line "Peace lies at the feet of Jesus." Thank you for sharing your heart in this devotion!

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  13. ugh, I meant to say "thought", not "line" :)

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  14. Thank you all for your kind words. Blessings to you all.

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  15. Thanks, Heather! I love reading your blog! Keep at it, sister!

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  16. Hi Heather. I love this line: "The things of this earth cannot quash the discontent inside me. It is in Jesus that my soul finds lasting pleasure, solace, rest, peace and fulfillment."

    Good stuff! Thanks for linking up. I hope you are enjoying some time at Jesus'feet today.

    Simple Blessings ~ Rachel

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