Have you ever asked yourself why?
Why I am doing all that I am doing? The Bible Study. The PTF meeting. The room mom responsibility. That draining job. The constant updates on social media. The local volunteering. The taking the kids to all the activities. The side hustle. The go – go – go and never stop feeling.
Don’t get me wrong… all of these things can be blessings. Opportunities to serve. To connect. To learn or grow. To help support our families or friends. But why can they easily, and suddenly feel like burdens? Where’s the line?
These are all questions I have been asking myself lately. I have even heard it from close friends. It’s as if we are waiting for someone to give us permission. Are we allowed to put down seemingly “good things” too? Things that appear to be serving us on the outside, yet are really draining us on the inside?
As I navigate all of this in my own life, the story of Mary and Martha consistently comes to my mind. Let’s look in Luke to what scripture says:
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
There is so much to glean from this passage. There is nothing wrong with having a servant heart. But as scripture tells us, Martha was distracted by all she had to get done. So much so, that she missed time sitting at the very feet of Jesus.
Let me be clear, the world needs both Marys and Marthas. Yet I think time, season, and context matters. We have to learn to discern. Here we see that Martha allowed what she thought she needed to do, to get in the way of what she really needed to do. She didn’t have her priorities straight, and missed out on a moment that mattered.
I can relate.
- How often I have caught myself rushing past those I love to do things FOR them, without stopping to be WITH them.
- How often I have sat at dinner with my husband, and complained about caring for our family.
- How often I have gave of myself without a happy or willing heart, allowing resentment and bitterness to grow.
- How often I have compulsively agreed to do something that I knew inside I didn’t have the bandwidth or capacity for.
The truth is, it is really difficult to not develop a spirit of criticism and intolerance when I am spread thin. It is hard to pour out from an empty cup, and it is extremely challenging when I want the Lord to direct my life, yet I won’t let him.
Often, my own busyness prevents me from displaying the posture of humility required to notice moments where I need to pause and not power through. Slowing down is not celebrated by most, and many won’t encourage or remind you to do it. But I truly believe if we are called to be women of Christ, then our schedules and heart postures can, and should, reflect that.
Spiritual formation is suffocated by a nonstop day, and perpetuated by our own human insecurity and fear. And while we may tell ourselves we are serving those we love, are we? Or, are we serving our pride or worries? If it is unto the Lord, then where is the peace, patience, or kindness? Isn’t that what we should expect?
I know I do. But it’s a partnership with my Creator, one where I must crucify what I think I need to do and cling instead to His ways. It means I continue to unsubscribe from the hustle mentality as I am slowly learning it simply can’t deliver on what it promises; it will never give fulfillment, purpose, direction, identity, worth, or security.
Today, will you join me in taking a deep breath? Let us remember that we no longer need to be (as Christ says) worried or upset about many things, as only a few things are needed… well indeed, only One. Let us choose better, by choosing Him.
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