Being Martha

We have finally moved into our new home.  It has been wonderful, but for those of you who have ever moved, even across town, it is a little overwhelming.  You are surrounded by boxes, all taunting you with their sealed tape, letting you know that you are no where near making this house feel like a home.  On top of that you have little crazy people (my children) running around, thrilled to be in a new space, and taking it upon themselves to peruse through the boxes.  I sat there, not knowing where to begin, but thankfully our family came in town and helped tremendously.  
Now a week later, I feel much more settled, but still along a journey.  You can take a look at my attic to know that we are still in the midst of transition.  However, there is something to be said for out of sight, out of mind.
After our family left (tears were definitely shed) a few days passed and our best friends are now visiting.  The Holy Spirit has continually brought a certain passage to my mind during these weeks.  The story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-40.  Jesus and his disciples stop at a village where a lady named Martha opens her home to him.  Mary, Martha's sister, "sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he said" (v. 39) while Martha "was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made" (v. 40). Martha, obviously irritated with her seemingly lazy sister says, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!" (v. 40).  Jesus replies, "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" (v. 41-42).
When Martha was distracted by cleaning, prepping, and getting things ready she becomes outraged that her sister is just sitting and listening to their guest.  Her self-centered response really struck me this morning as I read it.  She says, ""Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!"  It seems that she is truly doing all of the preparations out of pride, not out of a heart of true service.  She has made it all about herself and less about those around her that she is trying to "serve".  
I totally get it.  You want things perfect.  You have guests arrive and you want things to stay maintained, organized, and for everything to flow perfectly.  However, I don't know how many times God has convicted me of this and just said, "Amber, sit.  Calm your racing mind.  Be here.  Now.  Listen.  Don't let your pride get in the way of just being and truly enjoying those around you."  It is heart check for sure.  God has asked me, "Who are you serving right now by what you are doing?  Are you serving me or are you serving yourself?"
God brought another aspect of this scripture to light this morning as I straightened pillows and scanned my Facebook feed.  There is nothing wrong with these things as a whole, but I know I have a very limited window of time to spend with the Lord in the morning.  God said, "Stop.  Spend time with me" and as He says in the above passage, spending time with Him is truly the "only thing needed".
We tend to busy ourselves with activity.  Our hobbies come first.  Our kid's activities take priority.  The battle to just stay in bed and sleep is a daily struggle.  We have constant adversity when it comes to spending time with God, but there is absolutely nothing more important that we can do in our day.  When we do this everything else is put in the right light, letting you see your family and daily busyness in God's perspective, not your own.  I often feel that once I get x, y, and z completed then (and only then) will I have the time to sit down in His word.  
I absolutely love the visual that this passage allows us to see.  Martha, a flurry of activity buzzing around the home.  Cleaning, cooking, and slowly having her blood pressure rise as she sees Mary doing seemingly nothing at all to help.  Then, you have Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to her guest and taking every word in, as sustenance, as life to her spirit.  These are two depictions of service. One self-centered and one God-centered.  When these times arise, take a moment and question where your heart's motivation is directed.  It is a daily, sometimes minute to minute, question for me, but within this question is an answer that draws me to the feet of Jesus.