balance, wednesday

Wednesday, August 27

Come to Stillness: Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

Opening Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

     During this day help me quiet all the thoughts that fill my head—where I must go, whom I must see, and what I must do.  In their place, give me a sense of your order, your peace, and your time.

     Help me to understand that you are in control, and I can trust you with my day.  Help me to realize that nothing on my to-do list is important if it is not what you want me to do.

     I give all my tasks to you and trust you to bring order to them.  In these moments, dear Jesus, come to me, be with me, and free me from the tyranny of “to do.” (Quiet Spaces by Patricia F. Wilson)

Scripture Reading for the Day: Luke 10:38-42

Reading for Reflection:

 

     I don’t know why, but for some reason I always find myself defending Martha whenever I read this story.  Maybe it is because I feel sorry for the criticism she endures from various religious circles.  Maybe it is because I believe, or hope, she is simply misunderstood.  Probably it is because I am really trying to defend, and feel okay about, my own Martha-like tendencies. 

     It is understandable, we live in a culture that values and applauds performance, productivity, and busyness.  We live in a world that is all about getting things done.  That is probably the reason why something always seems to rise up in me whenever this discussion rears its head.  "Martha can't really help it,” I tell myself, “that's just the way she's made, it's her personality."   Through the years I have definitely adopted this line of thinking from time to time, but after reading and rereading this story—as well as others about these two sisters—I'm not so sure that's the case. 

     I wonder if Martha’s behavior was more of a pattern, more a result of her paradigm than her personality.  I wonder if Martha was really convinced of what Jesus was saying.  I wonder if she really believed that what Mary was doing was better.  Did she really believe that being with Jesus was the one thing that mattered?  Or had she somehow convinced herself that the many things—how well she kept house, her reputation as a hostess, what people thought of her, getting things done, her own worries, fears and concerns—were somehow more important? 

     I really do not know, but I do want to at least ask the question.  In fact, I need to ask the question.  I need to ask the question not so much for Martha, but for myself.  What do I believe is better?  What do I believe is the one thing that really matters?  The reason this is important is because I long to live a life of depth and quality.  I want so much more in my life than simply running around like a chicken with my head cut off, reacting to whoever and whatever seems to be most urgent at the moment.  I want a life focused on what is important instead of what is merely urgent.  And I’ll bet you do too.

     Mary understood this.  Instead of being consumed with all the things that had to get done, she was consumed with the one thing—Jesus.  In the midst of all the chaos and the busyness and the distractions, her deepest desire was simply to sit at his feet and listen to what he said.  That was what convinced her of his great love and affection.  That was what completely captured her heart.  That was the thing that was better than anyone or anything else.  When he was around nothing else mattered, nothing else was important—only him.  Listening to his voice is why her belief in him ran so deep, she knew his heart and therefore knew how deeply she was loved.

     May it be the same for each of us.  May we be like Mary.  May we constantly find ourselves at his feet, looking into his eyes, and listening to his soft and tender voice. (Becoming by Jim Branch)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

          

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to always choose the good portion—you.  Amen.