Psychiatric Hotline
Hello and welcome to the Psychiatric Hotline If you are obsessive compulsive press 1, repeatedly! If you are codependent, please ask someone else to press 2! If you have multiple personalities press 3, 4, 5, and 6! If you are paranoid delusional, we already know who you are and what you want. Stay on the line so we can trace your call! If you are a schizophrenic; listen carefully for the little voice which will tell you which number to press! If you are manic-depressive, it doesn't matter which number you press; no one will answer anyway! (This is copied, not sure of the origin)
There have been times in my life when I could have, in all honesty, had to make repeated calls to this hotline in order to choose all the options that applied. In the journey of life, it is easy to get overcome and bogged down with the daily grind. Sometimes I end up in a mental traffic jam trying to get everyday chores done, struggling to meet the demands and expectations of those around me, and keeping up a good front.
Looking in scripture I find one of my foremothers who faces the same struggles (foremother being the female form of forefather). I’m sure you have already guessed who. Martha, of course.
Luke10: 38-42
38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus feet, and heard his word. 40 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.
What is Martha Doing?
Martha is cumbered about many things. What she is doing is not a bad thing. She has invited Jesus into her home. She knows that as a good hostess it is her duty to make plans to provide for the comfort and needs of her guest. Now, she is intent on making things just right for her visitor. She prepares a place for him to rest and makes him comfortable. Next, she busies herself preparing a meal suitable to this special occasion.
Even with all her efforts nobody seemed to be noticing all the trouble she is going to. Mary has taken a place beside Jesus and just sits there talking with him like there is nothing else to be done. Martha has it all to do by herself.
Finally, it is just more that Martha can take, and she confronts Jesus. “Don’t you see that I am doing all the work by myself? Here I am wearing myself out and Mary is just sitting doing nothing! Tell her to get up and help me.”
Jesus’s response is not what Martha expects or is hoping for–“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful.”
Martha is a very conscientious person. She is a hard worker. She wants everything to be perfect. What is wrong with that? What can she be neglecting? What could be needful other than what she is doing already?
Jesus goes on to say, “but one thing is needful and Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Mary has chosen the good part? Commending Mary? She isn’t doing anything, is she?
What is Mary Doing?
She has chosen fellowship, spending time with Jesus. Martha is so busy it leaves no time to spend with Jesus. She is so busy taking care of the physical that there is no time left for the spiritual
Mary is in the right position, at the feet of Jesus. She assumes an humble attitude, lifting Jesus up, not just providing a place and moving on. Sure, Martha provides a place for Jesus but because of her own efforts she is becoming haughty and self-righteous.
Mary is intent on hearing the words of Jesus. Martha is intent on serving.
Totally focused on Jesus and realizing her spiritual needs, Mary is not distracted by her surroundings or Martha’s activities. On the other hand, the activities have distracted Martha to the point that she has lost the joy of the visit and comfort of the fellowship. Her concentration on what she is doing and what she is trying to accomplish is leading to impatience, murmuring, complaining, fault-finding, and discourtesy. She is experiencing discontent and anger because of her focus on circumstances. I can totally relate to Martha’s state of mind.
There is scarcely any sin against which our Lord Jesus more warns his disciples, than disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of life. This often ensnares the poor as much as the love of wealth does the rich. but there is a carefulness about temporal things which is a duty, though we much not carry these lawful cares too far. take no thought for your life. Not about the length of it, but refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases, our times are in his hands, and they are in a good hand. (Matthew Henry Commentary}
Mary hath chosen the good part. So, what is the good part? Answer: Jesus Christ! He is the only thing that is lasting. Everything else is temporal. If I clean the house top to bottom, it is to do again tomorrow. Perfectly manicured lawns only last a few days. A flower bed needs continual attention because weeds are always poking their heads between the blossoms. Physical things are soon past.
What am I Doing?
I do so much worrying unnecessarily. I flatter myself that I can take care of things on my own. But I am reminded in Matt. 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? Also, a great reminder and one of my favorite scriptures is where God asked Job, “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding”. God is reminding me that he did it all without my assistance. Possibly he can continue to do so without my help.
So, what do I do instead of worrying? Phil 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue (moral excellence, goodness, righteousness) and if there be any praise, think on these things.” I probably won’t have time to worry after all.
I don’t remember where I heard this quote, but it is true, nonetheless. Happy are those who take the Lord for their God, and make full proof of it by trusting themselves wholly to his wise disposal.
The last part of Christ’s commendation of Mary holds a promise…Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
When I shall have reached the end of the day and all my actions and endeavors are summarized, let it be engraved on my headstone—-
“She chose the good part”