“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father though him.”
— Colossians 3:17
Martha owned a house in Bethany where Jesus often went to teach, rest, and receive nourishment. During one of Jesus’ visits, Martha was working hard to prepare a good meal for Jesus and his disciples. Her sister Mary, on the other hand, was in with the men, sitting at Jesus’ feet like she had nothing else to do. The harder Martha worked, the more frustrated with Mary she became. Finally, Martha stomped into the room where Jesus and the others sat. She went straight to the Lord to complain.
“Lord,” Martha said, “don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work all by myself? Tell her to help me.”
Martha wanted Jesus to take her side and fix the problem by telling Mary to get off her lazy fanny and get to work. But she learned that the Lord doesn’t always give the answer we want or expect.
“Martha, Martha,” Jesus answered, “you’re worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it won’t be taken away from her.”
As it turned out, Martha didn’t have sister trouble; she had Martha trouble. It wasn’t wrong for her to show her love for Jesus by cooking a nice meal for him. But Martha had a bad attitude. She was more upset that Mary wasn’t working than she was happy to be helping Jesus. She had failed to focus on who it was she wanted to serve.
Mary had chosen to take advantage of the time Jesus spent in their house to learn from him. This was a good thing and the right choice for her. Instead of worrying about her sister, Martha should’ve lost the bitter attitude and served Jesus with joy. As Martha learned, God cares more about the state of your heart than he does about your outward actions.
Girl Talk: Do you always have a good attitude when you’re doing your chores or attending your little brother’s soccer game? How could your heart be more joyful?
God Talk: “Thank you, God, for your patience. Even when I’m frustrated or lonely, angry or confused, guilty or afraid, happy or sad, you meet me where I am. Help me to have a happy servant’s heart when I’m doing something nice for other people — even when I don’t want to. Amen.”
From Real Girls of the Bible by Mona Hodgson