I was thinking about Mary and Martha.

You probably know the story. Jesus had come to visit his friends. Mary sat at his feet listening attentively to all he had to say while Martha was tending to all the business of hospitality. If she were at our house, Martha would be clearing piles of paper off the dining room table, cleaning the cat hair off the recliners, washing dishes and preparing food to eat. Is it the same at your house? Thank goodness for the Martha’s of the world. Where would we be without them?

But . . . Jesus had an important point to make to each of us. Martha, feeling like all the burden of hospitality was on her, appealed to Jesus. “She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” I imagine you have felt that way too at one point or another. The extra work-load always comes to you while others go home early. Be it housekeeping or budgeting, taking out the garbage or earning the money to pay the bills, or just dealing with the daily challenges that you face, it’s easy for any of us to become preoccupied with our burdens and resentful of others – at the expense of enjoying the time we have with those close to us. I’ve too often heard at funerals, “I wish I would have taken time to visit before s/he passed away.” I’m reminded of a cartoon of a frail man reaching for a cookie from the plate on the table. His wife slaps his hand saying, “Don’t eat those cookies; they’re for your funeral!”  I chuckle at the irony but there’s a serious point to be understood. Jesus says it this way:

“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.”

Why did Jesus commend Mary? Wasn’t it because she chose to devote herself to hearing his voice and listening attentively to his teachings? Maybe Mary had heard what Jesus had said earlier, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” (Luke 4:4) In any case, it seems Mary understood the essence of Jesus’ message, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life,” meaning eternal life. (John 6:63)   Mary understood “the one thing” that was needed. While Mary was commended for her devotion, Martha was chastised for becoming so caught up in the business of life she had forgotten her purpose.

It’s a daily challenge for most of us, living with our spiritual purpose in mind, that “one thing” that matters most, while taking care of earthly chores. Maybe you’ve heard it said that “If we lived as if every day was our last day on earth, no one would do dishes or laundry or pay bills.” There’s a balance to be attained, carrying out our daily duties while remembering it is the Lord who allows us to do them.

Are you more like Mary or Martha? Whichever the answer, it’s likely God purposefully designed you with that predisposition. But are we completely resigned to our Mary-like or Martha-like ways? Doesn’t God put people in our path (and us in theirs) for the very reason of influencing one another and sanding off each other’s rough edges, becoming more Christ-like in the process? Remember, it wasn’t the chores that Jesus found objectionable but the complaining, the worry, and being upset that distracted her from her true calling. What things tempt you to worry, complain, and become upset?

I suppose it’s possible to be “so heavenly minded we’re of no earthly good,” but at the same time we’re well advised to not be so “earthly minded that we’re of no heavenly use.” Perhaps the key is to become so heavenly minded that we can be of earthly – and heavenly – use.

Being inclined to be a type A “Martha” personality I’m asking God to reveal what “Mary-like” qualities I need to develop and incorporate into my natural repertoire.

How about you?