I admit, I’m a recovering “Martha.” Maybe that’s the biblical version of what people today call a “Karen.” If you are familiar with the story in Luke 10, you may know what I mean. Jesus is patient with all, even Marthas and Karens.
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he [Jesus] entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke
10:38-42 KJV
Many of us are do-ers and fixers – busy, busy, busy, and we like it that way. We take pride in our busy-ness and hard work, and may even criticize those who don’t seem to get as much done. We may worry and stress over problems we have created for ourselves, feeling pressure that is mostly coming from inside. How much of that is wrong? The Bible does encourage hard work…
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
(See also Genesis 2:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:10, Proverbs 14:23.) As it often is, the concern is the attitude of the heart more than with the actions themselves. Let’s look at Martha in this regard.
Jesus was close friends with Martha and her family. Martha likely could have been the older sister. (We “firstborn daughters” are often stereotyped as bossy!) Martha seemed to be so tense, trying to make everything just right for her guests in Luke 10 and she became frustrated with her sister. This scene is played out beautifully in The Chosen series, as so many scenes from the gospels are. Jesus spoke to Martha with such love. He was not rebuking her as much as He was caring for her, and teaching her. Perhaps He was saying something like, “Martha, my friend- relax; you don’t have to worry so much. You are stressed about so many things. The house and the food do not have to be perfect. And, hey, don’t take it out on your little sister! Sit here and learn and enjoy my company for a while. This is the most important thing you can do.” He didn’t say that what she was doing wasn’t important, or that Mary shouldn’t help at all. He said Mary had chosen the MOST important thing. There are only so many hours in a day. Sitting at His feet is a necessary part; some things can be let go, but not that.
I believe Jesus says to “Marthas” things like :
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.
Philippians 4:6 AMP
Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].
I Peter 5:7 AMP
Sitting at Jesus’ feet like Mary will adjust the attitudes of our hearts and bring us much more satisfaction and greater results than being so busy, so worried, so critical. Give us pure hearts, Lord, and help us to always choose You, the good part!
Devotional by Heather Cornett