Women’s Ministry Minute
June 23, 2020
With Lisa Miller
During this season of "COVID 19" my thoughts, emotions and walk with God have been all over the place. I have felt more scattered than usual! I would love to be able to say this time has changed me in deep and profound ways; but that is still a work in progress. However, this time has brought to the surface again, two of my biggest weaknesses. The first being comparison and the second is saying "no" to all the apparent good and Godly things, which keeps me from saying yes to the best things.
Both of these struggles take me to Luke 10:38-42;
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed---or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Martha was doing a "good" work. She was practicing hospitality, which was exceedingly important in biblical times (as well as now). But, when she comes to Jesus is she in comparison with her sister? Is she choosing the "best yes" spiritually? At first glance, I've felt that Jesus's response to Martha is rather callous. However, after I have studied and prayed about this passage; I have a new perspective. I believe Jesus is addressing issues that for me, come with comparison. How often, when I am in comparison, am I worried and/or distracted? Questions race through my mind; Do I have enough?, Does everything look presentable? Could I do it better? So and so would have done it better. Some of these questions seem innocent but generally I am in comparison. Comparison distracts me from my best yes. I am not saying we should not do good works as the Bible tells us to do good works ( Ephesians 2:10). Nonetheless, if my comparison of good works or choosing too many are keeping me distracted from intimacy with God then something needs to change.
The word translated "distracted" in verse 40, periespato, has the connotation of being pulled or dragged in different directions or in my case "scattered"! Definitely during this time of COVID 19 I have felt pulled in different directions. My business, my parents health, financial concerns can cause me to make poor choices. This can leave me feeling "less than," especially when I have the tendency to compare. I have learned to come to Luke 10 with different ears. I am learning to hear compassion in Jesus's voice when he tells Martha there is need of only one thing. I hear Jesus telling me that I am valued for who I am in Him and not all the "good" things that I can do. Choosing intimacy with God and listening to His voice allows me to break my comparison trap and grow in my relationship with God and others.